How is it unethical?

@Buffy By giving points the examiner is testifying to the rest of society (like employers, customers, competitors, government agencies and the general public) that the candidate has a certain level of understanding of the course material. If that is not the case, the mark is a lie. The victims are those who might be fooled by the lie and other people to whom the candidate might be preferred.

@Rad80, you are vastly overstating the scale of impact of such a thing. It is harmless if it impacts no other student. It isn't like giving an A to a failing student because you "like" them. It has a tiny effect. In addition it shows a bit of "creativity" on the part of a student that many employers would actually like to see in their employees.

@Buffy tiny inconsequential things can still be ethical or not.

@Rad80, so, then, an instructor is a strict judge without mercy or humor. "Off with their heads."

@Rad80, I suspect that you would be happier in one of my classes than I would be in one of yours. I would tend to respect your humanity.

@Buffy Because it is awarding points for something not agreed on in learning contract. In the extreme case, imagine two students have 59% otherwise in the class. One student leaves it blank, another makes a nonsense joke and gets the haha points. Do they deserve to pass and the other student doesn't? A correct-ish answer that becomes a joke? Sure, toss them a few points. I'm just taking Allure's Q at face value of if the question was answered with "funny nonsense."

@Buffy so you think giving good grades for a bad exam answer is "harmless", has a "tiny effect" and is therefore "not unethical". Do you think the same about a student cheating on an exam? It has the exact same effect as giving a student good grades for bad answers.

@wimi, why would you think that. You are changing the subject.

@Buffy Would you accept to be operated by a doctor that got his degree based on funny answers instead of correct ones?

@AzorAhai--hehim, if awarding points to A causes B to fail then it is unethical OF COURSE. It causes B no harm otherwise. Why are you so hung up on this?

@Buffy "Hung up on this?" You asked me a question on my answer, I answered quite reasonably. No need to be rude.

@Chapz, you are blowing it up beyond all comprehension. Please stop.

@Buffy No, it's a simple to understand example what the consequence is of awarding people for being wrong. It may be a quite radical example, but it can be applied to anything else where one needs to rely on the expertise of others, and that expertise is non-existent.

@Buffy The university model is simply a bad fit for rewarding creativity. Here's why: How do you give a fair grade to a work which is wholly unlike the work of others, and unlike the standard by which others' work is measured? A creative person must find a novel way to make such creativity productive and conducive, and I don't think the onus for this can fairly be placed on the instructor. (If you take on that burden voluntarily, so be it.)

A story, believe it or don't. I once had a colleague who was very strict about grades - biblical. I called him on it. Over time he eased up a bit and I remarked to him that I withdrew my earlier objections. But when I, with my generous attitude, retired, the dean expressed dismay. He was let go, though his research was very good. Generosity is not unethical. Just don't penalize others. If you are generous with students you can inspire them to be their best. If not, then it is likely much harder.

@Buffy I am not changing the topic. A student who cheats gets good grades without knowledge of the subject. A student who gets free grades for bad answers also gets good grades without knowledge of the subject. What is the difference, why is one ok and the other is not?