Civilization Quote by Oscar Wilde
“The fact is, that civilization requires slaves. Human slavery is wrong, insecure, and demoralizing. On mechanical slavery, on the slavery of the machine, the future of the world depends.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Soul of Man under Socialism, 1891
Civilization depends on both human and mechanical labor, but human slavery is immoral and harmful; future hinges on how we manage machines.
In simple terms: Society needs work, but enslaving people is wrong; machines matter.
Key Takeaway
Reject human slavery, design humane automation.
Themes
ethics
technology
society
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- industrial policy
- AI ethics
- labor law
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
labor
automation
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure machines empower rather than enslave?
- What safeguards protect workers in an automated world?
A Different Perspective
Machines can also create new forms of dependency and inequality.
