Journal article
Slow Ethics in an Age of Fast Technology: the Ethical Implications of Industry 4.0 for Social Work
Ethics and social welfare, Vol.19(2), pp.137-155
2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
This paper brings together a range of perspectives on the ethical implications for social work of the growing use of digital technologies, big data, artificial intelligence and other features of ‘Industry 4.0’ (the fourth industrial revolution). Drawing on contributions to a workshop co-organised by the Ethics and Social Welfare journal, contributors explore: the nature and importance ‘slow ethics’ in an age of fast technological developments; ethical challenges for social work with the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which outlaws digital communications; the empowering effect of online meetings for a young person in Italy; and the possibilities and limitations of using algorithms in mental capacity assessments and in ethical decision-making more broadly. Stimulated by these examples, the concluding discussion considers how to maintain a person-centred approach in social work, being pro-active in developing positive uses and resisting the de-humanising and exclusionary impacts of digital technologies.
Details
- Title
- Slow Ethics in an Age of Fast Technology: the Ethical Implications of Industry 4.0 for Social Work
- Creators
- Sarah Banks - Durham UniversityTeresa Bertotti - University of TrentoDaria Forlenza - Libera Università Maria SS. AssuntaNetanel Gemara - University of HaifaElizabeth Reimer - Southern Cross UniversityMichal Segal - Tel Hai Academic CollegeJane Shears - Ethics Commission (Slovenia)Ana M. Sobočan - University of LjubljanaKim Strom - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMaría Jesús Úriz - Public University of Navarra (Spain, Pamplona)Mai Yamaguchi - Japan Lutheran College
- Publication Details
- Ethics and social welfare, Vol.19(2), pp.137-155
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Identifiers
- 991013292754102368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Social Work; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article