Two conceptual platforms meet in the use of technologies: the technological milieu and the ethical principles that underlie every human action. The interface, called “use,” imposes a change of attitude in the behavior developed by humankind throughout centuries of mental evolution. This interface connects the two platforms although this is invisible to the naked eye. Using complex system analysis, it is possible to identify the components of the two platforms and understand the influences of their characteristics, providing a meaningful perspective of how technologies can contribute to the development of a secure and positive society in the future. The development and use of technologies can influence the developer/user in a positive or damaging way. Neuroscience's contributions point in this direction. The concern for the welfare of people affected by technologies is a must in the next era. The author intends to prove in an extensive way that for safety, ethic regulations should be considered for industry, health, and education.
TopPoint Of View
The management of human affairs requires social skills, knowledge of topics involved and mastery of principles ruling the system. This triad has enabled army people to win wars, citizens to become presidents of their countries, infrastructure companies to install water lines and teachers to survive in the educational environment. This consensus is no longer strong enough to continue doing the work, or as marketing people say, deliver the goods. The scope of action of human affairs is now broader, challenging the boundaries of the visible and knowledgeable. The advances in the computer industry had the effect of redesigning old machines as computer-based devices, and presented many new human performance issues that were not readily addressed by existing theories. (Guastello, 2013). The ability to move from and into the micro and the macro is now a fact. The enthusiasm that this movement creates spreads like ocean waves from one level and sector of society to another. Not only a wave, but a tsunami.
The SKP (social skills, knowledge, principles) triad that has been guiding our lives successfully, standing on an invisible and powerful platform of silent acceptance of actions until now, is no longer capable of supplying the understanding required by the new situation, which is approaching quickly in the form of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). To maintain its ruling position, the SKP triad needs to adapt itself to a changing and dynamic environment where strong forces coming from financial, political and environmental fields based on technological wisdom are activated. The movement from an industrial era to a new one requires more sophisticated patterns of management, if it wants to serve society properly.
One important landmark in this trajectory is the global climate crisis and the Corona pandemic. What we were not willing to accept formerly is brought loud and clear in the form of a powerful global expression. This “what” can be the guiding point for decision makers, leading to the next inevitable stage: accepting complex system theory as a methodology to find answers to phenomena that cannot be reduced by science from the whole to its parts like in medicine, education or transportation. Medicine can treat a headache with a pill that would reduce the pain without inquiring on the cause. Education can get children to sit in their chairs for hours without providing enough space to move according to their needs. Transportation industry can produce cars without considering their effect on traffic and pollution.