Ethical Theories and Application Essay

This essay assignment requires students to demonstrate their understanding of classical ethical theories by applying them to a range of ethical issues. The assessment focuses on the clarity and accuracy of the ethical analysis, as well as the quality of writing, structure, conclusion, and referencing according to APA style guidelines. Scores are awarded based on a rubric that evaluates each aspect of the assignment, with specific criteria for each grading level (High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Pass, Fail).

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, Charles Sturt University
The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
Assignment 3: Applying Ethical Theory
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Student Number
Word Count: 1500

The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
1. Introduction
This news article talks about an advanced technological innovation that would bring a change in
Australia. This article is about the introduction and use of trucks that are automated or
driverless. This introduction was expected to change the society and create a negative impact on
the community of Australia. The release date of this article was May, 2016. This article tried to
convey a message that said that this technological invention would devastate and harm the
community and society in Australia (NewsComAu, 2017). This invention would lead to the loss of
several jobs of the drivers who used to drive trucks in Australia. They will become jobless. Not
only will it affect the jobs of the drivers but also it will affect the businesses that are running on
the highways and roads where the trucks pass by. The stations that are present there for
providing services, petrol and also food stalls and motels will be affected. The transport sector
has a great influence on the GDP of this country, Australia. This essay focuses on this article and
describes the ethical implications based on certain classical theories of ethics. This essay points
out whether this technological invention is ethically correct in terms of virtue, utilitarianism,
contract as well as deontology theories of ethics. This essay gives reasonable explanations for
assessing the case under these four classical ethics theories.
2. Utilitarianism Theory
The Utilitarianism Theory is one of the four classical theories of ethics. This theory mainly deals
with the happiness that is generated in everyone due to some action or activity. According to
this theory, if any activity or policy that is enacted by society is considered to be correct morally
or ethically correct if that act or policy is responsible for generating the highest level of
happiness among most of the people (Arntzenius, 2014). This article gives a clear idea that this
advanced technology of introducing automated or driverless trucks will cause huge negative
impacts on the people or citizen living in Australia. The unemployment level will rise in the
country. The drivers who used to be hired for driving trucks would become completely jobless.
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
There are several businesses that have connection with the trucks. The businesses that exist in
the highways and roads will be badly affected. There are motels in the highways. Many people
get hired in these motels to serve the travellers as well as the drivers. There are petrol pump
stations as well as service stations. There are cafes present in the highway and along the road.
Introduction of this technology will also take away the jobs of the people working in the cafes,
motels, service stations as well as petrol pump stations. Hence it can be clearly seen that there
are many number of people who will be disappointed and unhappy. This invention of driverless
trucks will not be able to generate happiness among maximum people. Rather it will devastate
the entire community of Australia. The community will be ripped off (Vaughn, 2015). The entire
country will be under chaos. Another issue that is taken into account in this context is the safety
issue. There can be several situations that can occur in the road. An automated system cannot
know the solution of every situation or incident that takes place. Technology has many faults in
it. It cannot be 100 per cent error free. Faulty system can cause huge loss. Consider a situation
where many people come in the front of truck and in this case the automated truck will have to
take the side but there are trees on both sides. This leads to ethical issue (Niebuhr, 2013). Here
the Utilitarianism Theory will suggest taking a decision where it will make most people happy.
But it is unethical to compromise the life of the passenger in order to save so many people.
This ethical theory gives a suggestion that a policy or activity is morally or ethically correct if it
generates or produces extreme level of happiness among most of the people (Crimmins, 2017).
There will be high degree of dissatisfaction and maximum people will be in despair if driverless
trucks are introduced. Therefore it can be seen that this advanced technology of introduction of
driverless trucks is not morally permissible because it does not generate happiness among
maximum people.
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
3. Deontology Theory
The Deontology Theory is based on obligations and duties. Here ethics is directly connected with
carrying out duty. This theory says that if a person carries out his duties then it is morally or
ethically correct. This theory states that happiness is not related to morality or ethics (Playford,
Roberts & Playford, 2015). Deontology theory makes duty as the base for ethics. If a person
carries out his obligations and duties properly then he is ethical (Chen & Schonger, 2017).
Automated trucks will have programs incorporated in it. These programs are built on sequential
procedures. Taking care of the passenger and pedestrian’s safety falls under the category of duty
in this case (Dewey, 2016). t is not possible to implement the program to take care of every
situation. Suppose a group of people are in front of the truck and in both the sides there are trees.
The automated system will not be able to take an ethical decision. According to this theory, all
humans are an end in themselves. Human beings are not means to end (Lazar, 2017). Human
beings have inherent values and ethics. They live independently. If driverless vehicles are
introduced then it would not value the human needs because they will become unemployed by
losing jobs. Technical problems can also take place. Related businesses will also be affected. The
introduction of semi automated cars are much better that fully automated cars. Automated
trucks will snatch away the jobs of the drivers and increase the unemployment level. Therefore,
according to the theory of Deontology this act is morally or ethically incorrect.
4. Virtue Theory
Virtue Theory is an ethical theory that is based on character. The main focus of this theory is to
find out what is wrong and what is right. It focuses on the activity of the people and judges
whether they are doing wrong or right (Van Hooft, 2014). This ethical theory is not dependent on
the happiness of the people as well as the duties which they do. This theory focuses on the
virtue of the human beings that are developed on the basis of their habits and training. The
system developers cannot incorporate morals in the automated system of the trucks. This theory
does not focus on the consequences of an activity or policy. It was said by Elon Musk of Tesla
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
that using driverless cars aims to improve the quality of the lives of people (NewsComAu, 2017).
Here the aim behind this technology is to help people and reduced their load of work. Therefore
it can be said that the intention is to help people and it does not focus on the consequences.
Hence from the perspective of virtue ethics, this act of introducing automated trucks is ethically
correct.
5. Contract Theory
Contract Theory is one of the four main classical theories of ethics. According to this theory a
person’s moral values are totally dependent on the existence of a contract. This contract is like a
deal between the human beings for forming a society that is good and ethical (Fried, 2015).
When a contract exists then it gives guidance to a person to behave ethically. This contract acts
as a motivational force to act ethically (Russell, 2016). Consider a situation where an employee
of an organization signs a contract saying that he will follow the rules and maintain discipline in
the company. The presence of this contract guides the employee to think before acting. This
contract plays the role of a motivational factor or catalyst in order to promote moral values in
the organization. Algorithms that will contain procedures for imitating the ethical and moral
behaviours or values of the people will be incorporated in the system of the automated trucks.
Development of every vehicle requires a contract that is to be signed by the developers.
Australian economy highly depends on transport industry. Goods are transported to end
consumers. Safety requirements will be well incorporated in the system of the automated car.
Here if we consider TechCrunch’s predictions then it can be said that no harm can be caused by
technology on the human beings and there will not be any shortage of jobs. Therefore Contract
Theory says that this introduction of automated trucks is an ethical act.
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
6. Conclusion
This essay concludes that the invention of driverless trucks or automated trucks will create
issues for the community of Australia rather than giving benefits. It will cause devastation in the
entire society. The truck drivers will lose their jobs and the businesses that are related to the
trucks will run in losses. The cafes, motels, service stations as well as petrol pumps will face loss.
This essay evaluated the introduction of this advanced technology in terms of Utilitarianism,
Virtue, Contract and Deontology theories of ethics.
References
Arntzenius, F. (2014). Utilitarianism, decision theory and eternity. Philosophical
Perspectives, 28(1), 31-58.
Chen, D. L., & Schonger, M. (2017). Social preferences or sacred values? theory and
evidence of deontological motivations.
Crimmins, J. E. (Ed.). (2017). The Bloomsbury encyclopedia of utilitarianism. Bloomsbury
Publishing.
Dewey, J. (2016). Ethics. Read Books Ltd.
Fried, C. (2015). Contract as promise: A theory of contractual obligation. Oxford University
Press, USA.
Lazar, S. (2017). Deontological Decision Theory and Agent-Centered
Options. Ethics, 127(3), 579-609.
NewsComAu. (2017). The jobs killer is coming. Retrieved 4 September 2017, from
http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/the-jobs-killer-is-coming-how-
driverless-trucks-could-change-australia/news-story/
4f5b8a42b0452703d62e00f3e7644d7b
Niebuhr, R. (2013). Moral man and immoral society: A study in ethics and politics.
Westminster John Knox Press.
Playford, R. C., Roberts, T., & Playford, E. D. (2015). Deontological and utilitarian ethics: a
brief introduction in the context of disorders of consciousness. Disability and
rehabilitation, 37(21), 2006-2011.
Russell, B. (2016). Contractualism, Consequentialism and the Moral Landscape: A New
Pro-Contractualist Picture of Ethical Theory.
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
Van Hooft, S. (2014). Understanding virtue ethics. Routledge.
Vaughn, L. (2015). Doing ethics: Moral reasoning and contemporary issues. WW Norton &
Company.
Do not remove the following marking sheet.
Marking Sheet
Criteria Standards
Marks
awarde
d
Classical
Ethical
Theory
(Value
60%)
HD: Demonstrates an excellent ability at applying ethical theories to
the ethical issues. (51-60)
DI: Demonstrates a good ability at applying ethical theories to the
ethical issues. (45-50.4)
CR: Makes a genuine attempt at applying the ethical theories to the
ethical issues. (39-44.4)
PS: The ethical theories do not link well with the ethical issues. (30-
38.4)
FL: The ethical theories are not properly applied to the ethical issues.
(0-29.4)
Writing &
structure
(Value
20%)
HD: Language features and structures are used to convey meaning
effectively, concisely, unambiguously, and in a tone appropriate to the
audience and purpose with no spelling, grammatical, or punctuation
errors. (17-20)
DI: Well developed skills in expression & presentation of ideas. Fluent
writing style appropriate to assessment task/document type. Grammar
& spelling accurate. (15-16.8)
CR: Good skills in expression & clear presentation of ideas. Mostly
fluent writing style appropriate to assessment task/document type.
Grammar & spelling contains a few minor errors. (13-14.8)
PS: The text contains frequent errors in spelling, grammar, word
choice, and structure, lacks clarity, and is not concise, but the meaning
is apparent to the reader with some effort. (10-12.8)
FL: Rudimentary skills in expression & presentation of ideas. Not all
material is relevant &/or is presented in a disorganised manner.
Meaning apparent, but writing style not fluent or well organised.
Grammar & spelling contains many errors. (0-9.8)
Conclusion
(Value
10%)
HD: Superior conclusion that ties the results of the analysis together
into a coherent, logically valid & convincing argument. (8.5-10)
DI: Very high standard conclusion that ties the results of the analysis
together into a coherent, logically valid & convincing argument. (7.5-
8.4)
CR: High standard conclusion that ties the results of the analysis
together into a coherent, logically valid & convincing argument. (6.5-
7.4)
PS: Rudimentary conclusion that provides a convincing argument. (5-
6.4)
FL: Sub-standard (or no) conclusion. (0-4.9)
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
Referencing
(Value
10%)
HD: Referencing is comprehensive, demonstrates academic integrity,
and conforms exactly to APA style conventions. (8.5-10)
DI: Very good referencing, including reference list and citations. High
quality references. (7.5-8.4)
CR:Good referencing, including reference list and citations. Good
quality references. (6.5-7.4)
PS:Referencing is comprehensive, mostly accurate according to APA
style conventions, and demonstrates academic integrity. Some minor
errors or omissions in style and formatting choices (e.g. italics,
punctuation, etc) don’t impact on the transparency and traceability of
the source, or demonstration of academic integrity. (5-6.4)
FL: Sub-standard (or no) referencing. Poor quality (or no) references.
(0-4.9)
Total
Marks
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