Sure, it's a value judgement. But it's value judgement about the code not the author. It's just like science. We can't say: let's skip the whole rocket thing because it was invented by a commie and a nazi.
Also value judgement doesn't mean totally arbitrary judgement. If code doesn't work it's not good, if it's not maintainable, it's not good. There are qualities of good code that programmers tend to agree about. Being written by wonderful human being, is not one of those qualities.
Also value judgement doesn't mean totally arbitrary judgement. If code doesn't work it's not good, if it's not maintainable, it's not good. There are qualities of good code that programmers tend to agree about. Being written by wonderful human being, is not one of those qualities.