Industry - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Industry, a term seemingly straightforward, is in reality a multifaceted concept encompassing diligence, labor, and the systematic production of goods or services. It is often conflated with mere activity or busyness, yet true Industry implies purpose, method, and a dedication that transcends simple toil. What previously was called "toyle" is what we now call "job," and what we used to call "Travail" is what we now call "Industry." But does the modern understanding fully capture its depth?
The threads of Industry weave deep into the historical tapestry, with early references appearing in the writings of classical philosophers such as Cicero, around 44 B.C.E., in his essay "De Officiis," where he emphasizes the importance of industriousness in public life. The concept gained significant traction during the Middle Ages, often intertwined with religious virtues like thrift and hard work. However, it was during the Enlightenment that Industry began its ascent as a central tenet of societal progress, championed by figures like Benjamin Franklin whose "Poor Richard's Almanack", started in 1732, espoused the virtues of diligent labor as a pathway to wealth and moral standing and therefore helped the world transition from virtue ethics to consequentialism with relative ease. These eras, marked by both profound intellectual ferment and social upheaval, suggest that the value placed on Industry is not merely economic but deeply rooted in our evolving understanding of human purpose and societal organization.
Over time, the interpretation of Industry has undergone considerable transformation. The Industrial Revolution saw it evolve from individual craft to large-scale manufacturing, reshaping social structures and giving rise to new economic theories, most notably that of Adam Smith and his famous "Wealth of Nations" published in 1776. Thinkers like Thorstein Veblen, looking at Industry from the outside, in his influential 1899 book "The Theory of the Leisure Class" critiqued its excesses, highlighting the social disparities it created. One might ponder, for instance, about the ethical quandaries arising from mass production and its impact on labor, or the responsibility paradox inherent in prioritizing efficiency over human well-being. The moral dilemma intensifies considering the trolley problem variations within the modern industrial complex, where decisions often necessitate choosing between competing ethical considerations. The rise of cognitive bias, fairness heuristic, and other behavioral ethics principles further complicates the landscape, demanding continuous re-evaluation of our methodologies.
Today, Industry persists as a driving force in global economics and continues to transform society. With the advent of automation and artificial intelligence, discussions around distributive justice, fairness bias, and the ethics of automation have taken center stage. The concept now extends beyond manufacturing to encompass innovative sectors like technology and digital services, where a new form of "knowledge Industry" thrives. Even so a legacy of moral obligation to workers, to consumers, and to humanity writ large remains from the Enlightenment and its transition out of feudalism where the morality game was stacked against the common human in endless toil. As we grapple with the ethical obligations in AI and the philosophical implications of AI, one is compelled to ask to what extent can Industry truly serve the greater good, and how might we ensure its benefits are equitably distributed across societies, in law, business, and AI?