Is technological progress actually making us more ethical?
In short: We often view moral progress as a slow, internal shift in human consciousness. However, futurist Juan Enriquez suggests a different driver: technology. As tools evolve, they transform the once-unimaginable into the commonplace, shifting the pendulum of what society deems acceptable and challenging our most deeply held truths.
The common intuition is that morality is a fixed set of eternal truths, but history suggests that ethics evolve over time. As technology advances, it often enables behaviors that were previously impossible, thereby upending institutions that fail to adapt. This shift can create significant generational divides. For instance, while our great-grandparents might have viewed in vitro fertilization with shock, our great-grandchildren might find the biological messiness of pregnancy, childbirth, and unedited genes equally unsettling. Historically, practices like human sacrifice or public executions were once considered acceptable. Even slavery and meat consumption represent moral standards that have shifted significantly over time.
This evolution is not merely about convenience; it can actually drive more ethical behavior. Juan Enriquez argues that exponential technological advances can lead to a more moral society by providing new ways to interact with the world. This process challenges old beliefs and forces us to confront dilemmas ranging from sexual liberation to the complexities of climate change. Contrary to popular belief, these advancements do not just change convenience; they actively foster more ethical conduct. This technological momentum forces a confrontation with outdated social structures.
In our digital age, technology also creates new ethical challenges, such as the 'immortality' of mistakes made on social media. Because our digital footprints are so permanent, Enriquez suggests we should approach modern debates with more humility. He notes that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google act as 'electronic tattoos,' making errors permanent. Instead of reacting with anger toward people who lacked our current awareness, he promotes a gentler outlook, proposing we evaluate history as we wish to be viewed by posterity. This permanence requires us to judge others with compassion rather than fury. We must adopt a sense of humility when observing the mistakes of those in the past.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How technology changes our sense of right and wrong | Juan Enriquez
- Also: Right/Wrong
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