The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Ethics: The New Luddites

Abstract

Technology and its ethical implications on the economy and equality of the classes has always been a cause for great concern in society, both in the ancient-medieval times and now in our modern age, as we draw ever closer to what some experts have termed the 4th industrial Revolution.

In this chapter, the author explores with a reflective approach, the precipitous effects of the 1st Industrial Revolution on the consciousness of the populace and their response to the impending change. It draws a parallel between the current changes in our modern age, most especially the potential damage and opportunities such changes might bring to those generally regarded as the most vulnerable in our society.

The 1st Industrial Age was preceded by the rise of a short-lived anti-technology revolution, spurred on by the general sympathy amongst the lower-class, of the obvious repercussions the advent of machine powered factories would mean for their livelihoods.

The author evaluates the outcome of that revolution, the ethical impact, considers alternative outcomes and how a revised approach to the growing unease regarding the threat of automation could have best been executed, resulting in a more favorable transition for not just the Middle & Upper class who were the main beneficiaries of the advantages of Industrialization, but also for the Working class. Scenarios specific to contemporary issues are presented, most specifically within the Legal and Construction sectors and in summation, alternative approaches for the general resistance to technological advancement are reviewed.