Ethic Quote by Thomas Merton
““Technology has its own ethic of expediency and efficiency. What can be done efficiently must be done in the most efficient way—even if what is done happens, for example, to be genocide or the devastation of a country by total war. Even the long-term interests of society, or the basic needs of man himself, are not considered when they get in the way of technology. We waste natural resources, as well as those of undeveloped countries, iron, oil, etc., in order to fill our cities and roads with a congestion of traffic that is in fact largely useless, and is a symptom of the meaningless and futile agitation of our own minds.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Ethics of Technology, 1970s
Technology prioritizes speed and efficiency over moral considerations, leading to harmful outcomes when unchecked.
In simple terms: Efficiency can ignore ethics.
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical impact before efficiency.
Themes
ethics
technology
consequences
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- policy making
- corporate strategy
- personal consumption
- urban planning
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
environmental impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we embed ethics in tech design?
- What safeguards prevent efficiency from causing harm?
A Different Perspective
Efficiency alone cannot justify harmful actions.
