Right/Wrong

How Technology Transforms Our Ethics

by Juan Enriquez

4.4(106 ratings)

15 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how ever-advancing technology reshapes our sense of right and wrong, often more rapidly than we might expect. It examines pivotal shifts in how societies view issues like climate change, criminal justice, healthcare, sexuality, and personal data, revealing that what once seemed unshakably ethical can suddenly become outdated. By understanding these shifts, readers gain the tools to navigate the moral complexities of a world speeding into tomorrow.

Introduction

Welcome to a conversation about how technology shapes our moral boundaries. Today, we measure right and wrong differently than people did a few generations ago. Events like climate crises, social media blowups, and scientific leaps have reconfigured what is ethical. The big question is: why do these moral standards keep shifting, and how can we adapt?

From slavery once being commonplace to the criminalization of LGBTQ identities, history is filled with practices that later struck us as unthinkable. Yet each era believed itself to be correct. This mindset—that we have all the answers—often leads to harsh judgment of the past. But the truth is, new technology opens doors we never imagined, forcing society to contend with radically different realities.

In these pages, we will see how emerging tools—from social platforms to genetic engineering—accelerate moral upheavals. You will gain a framework to understand why we may be considered negligent today, even if we try to live ethically by current standards. By the end, you should feel more prepared to face the ethical storms stirred by technological change.

Staying ethically agile requires humility, since every generation’s certainties can become the next generation’s cautionary tales.

Why Ethics Evolve

It can be easy to assume our modern values are fixed. Yet history shows that as fresh possibilities emerge, moral beliefs keep mutating. Societies once justified human bondage, citing social or economic reasons. Over time, industrialization and moral campaigning reframed slavery as unacceptable. As technology presents new options, mindsets shift again.

Much of this evolution is fueled by circumstance. In the past, people lacked alternatives, so they stuck to certain practices—like enslaving others or restricting women’s roles. When new inventions made it easier to do without exploitative labor or to spread diverse viewpoints, major transformations followed. Ethics changed alongside these practical breakthroughs.

For better or worse, even outdated notions can linger. Laws, customs, and prejudices remain in place, sometimes for decades, causing friction with newer norms. In these friction points—where society awakens to a conflict between old rules and new possibilities—people either cling to tradition or champion reform. Often, the push that tips momentum is a technological trigger, like broadcast media shining a light on injustice, or digital forums mobilizing grassroots support.

Moral standards stay flexible when societies accept that unexpected change is inevitable.

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What is Right/Wrong about?

In "Right/Wrong: How Technology Transforms Our Ethics," Juan Enriquez investigates how rapidly evolving technologies are redefining our moral landscapes. As innovation accelerates, traditional ethics are continually tested and often upended. Enriquez explores critical shifts in how societies perceive issues such as climate change, healthcare, personal data, and social justice, illustrating that what was once considered ethical can swiftly become outdated. By understanding these changes, readers can better navigate the complex moral terrain of a rapidly evolving world.

The book underscores the importance of adaptability in our moral frameworks, emphasizing that technological advancements make it imperative to reassess the moral implications of our actions. Enriquez presents compelling arguments on how technologies shape expectations and values associated with everything from environmental stewardship to individual privacy. This book is a necessary read for those seeking to understand and influence the ethical discussions that will shape our future society.

Review of Right/Wrong

"Right/Wrong: How Technology Transforms Our Ethics" is a thought-provoking exploration of how technological progress pushes the boundaries of traditional morals. Juan Enriquez expertly sheds light on how innovation facilitates shifts in societal values and how these shifts influence our everyday lives. The book’s strength lies in its ability to dissect complex ethical challenges across various spheres such as biomedicine, data privacy, and environmental ethics while remaining comprehensively engaging.

Enriquez gracefully navigates the intricate relationships between technological evolution and human values, demonstrating how rapid advancements offer new solutions yet present ethical quandaries. Narrated with a balance of erudition and accessibility, the book provides practical insights and compelling arguments that invite readers to remain intentional and open-minded as future state-of-the-art advancements emerge. Its relevance to a broad audience ensures anyone interested in technology, ethics, or societal change will find value here.

In summation, "Right/Wrong" challenges us to critically evaluate our preconceived notions about morality through the lens of technological innovation. Enriquez encourages a discourse enriched with dialogue and willingness to adapt. This book is not merely recommended for technophiles or ethicists—it is essential for anyone participating in today's fast-paced world, where technology consistently reshapes societal values.

Who should read Right/Wrong?

Ethics scholars and philosophy enthusiasts seeking to understand the implications of technological advancements on morals.
College students studying technology and society or digital ethics, interested in developing nuanced perspectives.
Entrepreneurs and business leaders pondering the ethical ramifications of emerging technologies in their industries.
Environmentalists and activists exploring the moral dimensions of technology's impact on climate change and sustainability.
General readers curious about modern ethical discourse influenced by technological transformations.

About the author

Juan Enriquez is a renowned author, academic, and business leader recognized for his expertise in the economic and political impacts of life sciences. He holds a BA (1981) and MBA (1986) from Harvard University and has served as the founding director of Harvard Business School's Life Sciences Project. With over 40 years of experience in various roles, including CEO of Mexico City's Urban Development Corporation and a member of the Peace Commission that negotiated the ceasefire in Chiapas' Zapatista rebellion, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his writing. His book "Right/Wrong: How Technology Transforms Our Ethics" explores how technology shapes ethical considerations, drawing on his extensive background in life sciences and business.