Ethical Analysis of Driverless Trucks in Australia: A Deep Dive

This essay, completed for the School of Computing and Maths at Charles Sturt University, examines the ethical implications of driverless trucks in Australia. The student analyzes the issue through the lenses of utilitarianism, deontology, virtue theory, and contract theory, considering the potential impacts on employment, the economy, and societal well-being. The essay explores the arguments for and against the adoption of driverless trucks from each ethical perspective, weighing the consequences and long-term effects. The conclusion favors a phased implementation of the technology, acknowledging both the benefits and potential disruptions. The essay is well-structured, supported by relevant references, and demonstrates a strong understanding of ethical theories and their application to real-world technological advancements.

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: 1382

The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
1. Introduction
Thinkers 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 original
source (Reynolds, 2016) 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 Theory
Utilitarianism deals with consequences, everything else is irrelevant (Nathanson). It wants
the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Act Utilitarianism), or in a slightly milder
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 increase
demand 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 have
to 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 (Autotech, 2018) 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 Theory
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
In Deontology, the guiding principles are set in stone (Encyclopaedia Britannica), 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 (Bartlett, 2015) 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 a
mutual 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 Theory
This 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 (Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy), 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
trucks that replace drivers with computers. On the other hand, such a move opens up jobs
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
for people of a different skill-sets, for example, technologists and maintenance shops
(Kucharczyk, 2017). That too is human welfare, same in value to the theory as not firing
human drivers from their jobs. Now, considering the people employed in roadside
businesses that cater to travelling drivers. Such businesses may have to close for lack of
customers. A transport that saves money in the long run may choose to pass on the savings
to customers, and this could result in cheaper products for everyone. Also, efficiency of the
economy will increase when there are less delays in transporting products. All this is good
for the whole nation of Australia.
Considering the implications of the move, the parties involved, the changes downstream at a
larger scale, Virtue theory recommends the move to driverless trucks, even though the short-
term consequences may be unpleasant for some, the grand total will be beneficial to
everyone in Australia.
5. Contract Theory
The fundamental premise of Contract ethical theory is that there are more benefits in
cooperating than otherwise. To enable such a situation requires free, rational, and self-
interested agents who choose to agree on such a give-and-take (McCombs School of
Business), and agree to uphold their ends of the deal - nothing more nothing less.
The arguments here are similar to ones put forward for Deontology theory. A business owner
has an implicit contract with himself, and to other stakeholders of the company (for example,
public investors via stock exchange) to further the business and its profits. As mentioned
earlier, this can be done by increasing sales, and cutting expenses. The owner is fulfilling
this contract when he introduces new technology that helps in cutting costs e.g. driverless
trucks. Regarding the roadside economy, the truck business owner has no contract with
them whatsoever, so the businesses catering to travelling drivers does not arise under this
theory's discussion. Now, the purpose of a person who signs up or any employment is
earning money. That money, earned in exchange of time and skill, is the employee's
property and he can spend it as he deems fit. Now, nowhere in this system is the employee
given a right to direct the business' strategy or tactic. In other words, the driver in the topic
under discussion does not have the right to inform the company on its strategic or tactical
vision.
Once these facts are put under the light of Contract theory, there is not much leeway left to
tilt to any side. The recommendation of the theory becomes clear once the explicit and
implicit contracts are laid bare. No contract is broken in the introduction of driverless trucks,
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
but the drivers are breaking their contract in delaying, or cancelling the introduction of
driverless trucks. Contract theory forbids any attempts from drivers to delay or stop
driverless trucks, and recommends a free hand to the business to further their goals
including driverless trucks.
6. Conclusion
After having analyzed the issue from four different ethical theories' point of view, considering
the consequences, and imagining the action in a broader long term view, the author of this
paper votes for the replacement of the human drivers with automated computer systems, but
in a phased manner. A gradual shift will allow the businesses and the fired drivers to find
new employments. As per the roadside economy participants, they will have to adapt and
can change their orientation towards private vehicles and other travelers on the road.
References
Autotech. (2018, January 26). 28 Industries Other Than Auto That Driverless Cars Could Turn Upside
Down. Retrieved from CB Insights: https://www.cbinsights.com/research/13-industries-
disrupted-driverless-cars/
Bartlett, B. (2015, May 15). Is The Only Purpose of a Corporation to Maximize Profit? Retrieved from
The Big Picture: http://ritholtz.com/2015/05/corp-purpose-maximize-profit/
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Deontological ethics. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/deontological-ethics
Kucharczyk, S. (2017, April 18). How will maintenance change with the autonomous vehicle?
Retrieved from Read Write: https://readwrite.com/2017/04/18/maintenance-and-the-
autonomous-vehicle-tl1/
McCombs School of Business. (n.d.). Social Contract Theory. Retrieved from McCombs School of
Business: http://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/social-contract-theory
Nathanson, S. (n.d.). Act and Rule Utilitarianism. Retrieved from Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy : http://www.iep.utm.edu/util-a-r/
Reynolds, E. (2016, May 2). The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia.
Retrieved from News.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/the-jobs-
killer-is-coming-how-driverless-trucks-could-change-australia/news-story/
4f5b8a42b0452703d62e00f3e7644d7b
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Virtue Ethics. Retrieved from Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
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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
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The jobs killer is coming: How driverless trucks could change Australia
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
Your Name