The Jobs Killer: Ethical Analysis of Driverless Trucks in Australia

This report analyzes the ethical implications of driverless trucks in Australia, focusing on the potential impact on employment and businesses. The study employs several ethical theories, including utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and contract theory, to assess the morality of autonomous trucks. The report explores the potential negative consequences of driverless trucks, such as job displacement for truck drivers and the disruption of related businesses. It also investigates the ethical challenges related to safety and technological mismanagement. The conclusion emphasizes the need for careful consideration and proactive measures by the Australian government before the widespread adoption of driverless trucks to mitigate potential adverse effects.

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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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
1. Introduction
The paper mainly reflects on the case study that mainly elaborates the case that generally occurs
due to launch of driverless trucks within Australia. It is found that the paper mainly illustrates the
ethical dilemma that is mainly associated with the case scenario.
The paper mainly helps in undertaking appropriate research on the case study in context to
different ethical theories like deontology, contract, virtue as well as utilitarianism.
2. Utilitarianism Theory
It is stated by Salloch et al., (2015) that utilitarianism is one of the ethical theory that
generally helps in stating that something is good or moral only it is helpful in producing benefits for
greatest number of people. It is considered as one of the normative ethical theory that generally
helps in asking whether a action that is generally taken is either moral or immoral. It is identified
that according to the theory of utilitarianism, it is found that that advancement in technology that is
occurred in context to the development of autonomous trucks is not moral or ethical (Yazdani and
Murad, 2015) This is due to the fact that the development of autonomous or driverless trucks can
create number of devastating impacts within Australia. It is found that as the economy of Australia
generally moves within the budget of around $200 billion transport as well as logic related facility
but waving bye to the truck drivers of Australia due to the development of driverless cars is the
Australian market can generally create huge impact.
It is analyzed that the development of autonomous trucks are not only making the truck
drivers jobless but it is generally also affecting all the business which are associated with the truck
drivers (The jobs killer is coming, 2018). The driverless vehicles are generally developed in the
market of Australia as it helps in reducing both time as well as cost in the business but the negative
impact that is mainly creating is much more as compared to the advantages. Additionally, it is
analyzed that each and every advancement that is occurred in context to technology have number of
disadvantages. Similarly, the invention of driverless vehicles in Australia can create numerous
fatalities if they are not managed effectively. Therefore, it is identified that the invention of
driverless vehicles is not moral for the society as it is creating number of impacts which can be
devastating for Australia.
3. Deontology Theory
According to Wang, Cheney and Rope (2016), deontological ethics is defined as a theory of
morality that is dependent on a nonconsequentialist perspective of people and on their various
moral decision making. It is identified that the deontological ethics generally helps in maintaining
various types of actions that are generally not properly justified by their impacts. It is found that
according to the ethical theory of deontology, when the first trail for the driverless vehicles are
generally hosted in South Australia on different public roads the it is stated by the union of the
transport workers that government must take action or adopt some strategy that would be helpful
in dealing with the various types of new technologies (Lawton and Paez, 2015) This is because they
generally have idea that impact that is created by the driverless trucks is huge.
It is identified that national secretary of TWU generally takes a stand and said that it is very
much essential to utilize proper strategy in order to accept the future where the jobs that are mainlyYour Name

The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
undertaken by the Australians are generally becoming out-dated including the job that is associated
with driving. The various technologist are generally forwarding with various types of advancements
for making different types of advancement in technological fields but the impacts of the inventions
are not found to be ethical as the invention is not only making the drivers jobless but are generally
create negative impact on the various types of business that are mainly associated with truck driving
(The jobs killer is coming, 2018). Additionally, if any type of technological related mismanagement
occurs then it can generally bring huge disaster on a large scale.
4. Virtue Theory
It is opined by Habermas(2015) that virtue ethics is considered as an approach of ethics that
generally helps in emphasizing the character of an individual as one of the specific key element that
is mainly related with ethical thinking rather on the rules that act themselves. It is found that
according to the ethical theory of virtue that step that is generally taken by the Tony Sheldon is
considered to be moral as per his perspective, it is very much essential to have appropriate strategy
that helps in deciding whether the entire country of Australia can be able to accept that various
types of jobs which are generally undertaken by the people of Australia are going out-dated
including the job of driving and as a result the people are facing problem in their survival (Birnbaum
and Lach, 2014). If the government is not able to take proper actions then the not only the drivers of
trucks will get affected but also the other business that are associated with trucks will also get
impacted. Additionally the yearly revenue of the country can also get affected (The jobs killer is
coming, 2018). Thus, it is identified that I it is quite necessary to take appropriate actions by the
Australian government before launching the driverless trucks within Australian market.
5. Contract Theory
The contract theory is defined as one of the descriptive theory that generally helps in
illustrating the relationship between the society as well as laws and helps in explaining the reasons
why the society generally requires them. It is found that as per the ethical theory of contract, the
launching of driverless vehicles are considered to be against the theory of social contract (Drury,
Lucia & Caruso, 2017). This is due to the fact that due to the launching of autonomous trucks within
Australia, the truck drivers are becoming jobless. It is found that that the business that are generally
related with the drivers of the truck are mainly struggling inclusive of cafes as well as different types
of service stations.
The invention of autonomous trucks within the Australia is generally found to be against the
moral rules and regulations as the lifestyle of the various drivers of the trucks are getting negatively
impacted as they are mainly losing jobs. Additionally, it is found that various types of technological
advancement can create number of devastating impact on Australia (The jobs killer is coming, 2018).
It is found that number of safety related issues as well as challenges can occur if the technology that
is used is not infallible. If the problems that are related with mismanaged if not improved properly
then there is high chance of destruction due to the various types of technological inventions.
6. Conclusion
It can be concluded from the entire assignment that due to the launching of driverless trucks
within Australia can generally create number of devastating impact. It is found that the autonomous
vehicles generally assist in reducing both time and cost of the business but the problems that is
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
occurring due to the driverless trucks is much more as compared to the advantages. Thus it is
analyzed that the development of autonomous truck is not ethical as it is brining number of
difficulties for people who are generally depends on trucks for their job so that they can maintain
their livelihood
7.
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
References
Birnbaum, R., & Lach, L. (2014). Teaching about what ethical social work practice means:
Responsibility starts with schools of social work.
Intervention 2014,
140, 37-43.
Drury, M., Lucia, J., & Caruso, V. (2017). Autonomous Vehicles: An Ethical Theory to Guide Their
Future.
Habermas, J. (2015).
Between facts and norms: Contributions to a discourse theory of law and
democracy. John Wiley & Sons.
Lawton, A., & Páez, I. (2015). Developing a framework for ethical leadership.
Journal of Business
Ethics,
130(3), 639-649.
Salloch, S., Wäscher, S., Vollmann, J., & Schildmann, J. (2015). The normative background of
empirical-ethical research: first steps towards a transparent and reasoned approach in the
selection of an ethical theory.
BMC medical ethics,
16(1), 20.
The jobs killer is coming. (2018).
NewsComAu. Retrieved 30 April 2018, from
http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/the-jobs-killer-is-coming-how-driverless-
trucks-could-change-australia/news-story/4f5b8a42b0452703d62e00f3e7644d7b
Wang, Y., Cheney, G., & Roper, J. (2016). Virtue Ethics and the Practice–Institution Schema: An
Ethical Case of Excellent Business Practices.
Journal of business ethics,
138(1), 67-77.
Yazdani, N., & Murad, H. S. (2015). Toward an ethical theory of organizing.
Journal of Business
Ethics,
127(2), 399-417.
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
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)
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)
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
Total
Marks
Your Name