Ethical Boxes [Ethically Speaking]

Linear programing optimizes a linear model having linear constraints. The li near constraints are inequalities that form boundaries or the sides of the solution box. A corner point occurs at the vertex of the box (a polygon). If an optimum exists, it occurs at one or more of the corner points or along a line segment between two corner points. In other words, the best solution pushes the boundary of the box. The problems we solve in electromagnetics have boundary conditions in the spatial domain and initial conditions in the time domain. The conditions define the box for our problem. Without them, Maxwell's equations are nice mathematical constructs, but they have no practical use. Ethics defines our problem-solving boundaries. It is much easier to face ethical dilemmas when morals and core values are well defined; ethics act as constraints, similar to linear programing problems. Optimum solutions exist at the vertexes where morals and core values meet.