Social Impacts of Automation in Transport
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Added on 2021-06-15
Social Impacts of Automation in Transport
Added on 2021-06-15
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SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITYThe jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change AustraliaAssignment 3: Applying Ethical TheoryYour NameStudent NumberWord Count: 1382
The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia1.IntroductionThinkers and doers of the world are taking technology to new heights, and vehicles without human drivers are moving from the realm of science fiction to reality. Specifically, in Australia, plans are afoot to replace all human-driven trucks with computer operated self-sufficient transport system. The proponents claim better profits, efficiency, and growth of economy while the detractors claim loss of livelihood from a stable employment. The originalsource[ CITATION Emm16 \l 1033 ] is silent on the creation and sustenance of jobs in the advanced technology that replaces human drivers, but according to the author, raising this point is also essential for a fair discussion.2.Utilitarianism TheoryUtilitarianism deals with consequences, everything else is irrelevant[ CITATION Ste \l 1033 ]. It wants the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Act Utilitarianism), or in a slightlymilder form, following rules which in general result in the greatest good for the maximum number of individuals (Rule Utilitarianism).Looking at the issue at hand from the lens of Utilitarianism theory is a simpler thought exercise, though not open-and-shut as the technology (hardware, software, etc) will increasedemand for human workers, though in a different sector of the economy. Driving a truck requires skill and training which is lesser than developing a computer chip or coding artificial intelligence. Thus, one software developer who is employed to write software for the driverless trucks will be replacing more truck drivers. Moving away from the trucks, during the travel human drivers need food, rest, and entertainment in their long stretches of driving sessions. To cater to this, a substantial roadside economy is working, and thus sustaining many people. These people too may haveto go out of business in the near future of driverless trucks. However, in an Australia filled with automated trucks, the breakdowns and faults will have to be attended, and a large number of additional jobs may be created for maintenance crew. Thus, this school of ethics is pitting a group of truck drivers and the people who cater to them on roadside[ CITATION Aut18 \l 1033 ] against a group of skilled technologists and maintenance crew. In the opinion of author, since technology requires fewer humans and thus means relatively more unemployment, Utilitarianism votes against driverless trucks.3.Deontology TheoryYour Name
The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change AustraliaIn Deontology, the guiding principles are set in stone[ CITATION Enc \l 1033 ], and the application of the rules of this school of ethics do not allow for any concession or leeway on a per case basis. For this discussion, the author leans on the universalizability formula and the formula of humanity to judge the scenario and come to a recommendation.Beginning with the business owners in a capitalist nation, their only aim of establishing a company is to make profit[ CITATION Bru15 \l 1033 ] i.e. to earn more money than they put in the company whether to fund the long-term assets, or to run the company on a daily basis. This is their categorical imperative. The drivers' aim is to serve their employers in the best way they can in return for the salary and any other perks as negotiated. This is their categorical imperative. To be clear, the truck business owner has no obligation to roadside business owners, or to the truck drivers other than the pay and perks agreed to.Now, to further their aim of profit, a business owner is morally right under Deontology to do whatever it takes to increase sales or decrease costs. The issue being discussed helps in cutting costs, and thus is relevant. From the drivers' point of view, their morality limits them to demand no more than the contract allows them to, and the furtherance of the contract is amutual decision, not unilateral one.However, the above discussion assumes drivers as a mere means, which goes against a yardstick of this theory. Also, the universalizability requirement of this ethical theory demands that the business owners will not raise their voice when something similar puts the owners out of business. Such an action seems unlikely. Thus, under this ethical theory, driverless trucks are rejected.4.Virtue TheoryThis theory of ethics focuses on human flourishing, always improving, doing the right thing, at the right time, with the right person. Further, it advocates a middle path[ CITATION Sta \l 1033 ], not unlike Buddha, which is neither extreme nor deficient.Aligning itself with the Utilitarianism theory for the topic at hand, Virtue theory aims to be moderate or in other words aid human wellbeing. Virtue theory will go against actions that worsen the conditions of human beings. The companies that run truck business have a duty to look after the welfare of the company and its stakeholders, while the employees have a duty to look after their welfare, after they have served the company as per their mutual agreement. The issue being discussed is the replacing of human drivers with automated Your Name
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