The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and accompanying Fourth Order technologies (FOTs) sit at the confluence of epistemé and techné knowledge identified in classical Greek philosophy. The former is interpreted as scientific knowledge and discoveries, and the latter is its practical application in the form of “new” technologies and manufacturing processes. This helps explain both 4IR and FOT where 4IR is characterised by the science of digitisation and computerisation, and FOT by machines combining artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced machine learning (AML), both key components in FOT functionality. Through the use of codification and algorithms, scientists and engineers are trying to imitate human thought and behaviour in ways devoid of human virtue and relationality, vital ingredients in the “lived” experience. Classical Aristotelian virtue theory is agent-based, but recognises the importance of the “lived experience”, both individual (self) and in terms of their relationality in the wider community (other). Phronesis, or practical wisdom, is a critical tool in Aristotelian virtue theory as it is theorised to assist the individual in their “lived” human experiences in the acquisition of both intellectual virtues (rational) and moral virtues (emotional), leading to a state of eudaimonia, or ultimate well-being for the individual (self) and eventually wider society (other). Aristotelian virtue theory understands that human life is not always calculable, measurable, or rational, but it has a corresponding and arguably deeper and more profound meaning and influence through the relative and moral brought about through the “lived” human experience and its iteration.

第四次工业革命 (4IR) 和随之而来的第四次技术 (FOT) 处于古典希腊哲学中确定的认识论和技术知识的汇合处。前者被解释为科学知识和发现，后者则是其以“新”技术和制造工艺形式的实际应用。这有助于解释 4IR 和 FOT，其中 4IR 的特点是数字化和计算机化科学，而 FOT 的特点是结合了人工智能 (AI) 和高级机器学习 (AML) 的机器，这两者都是 FOT 功能的关键组成部分。通过使用编码和算法，科学家和工程师正试图以缺乏人类美德和关系的方式模仿人类的思想和行为，这些都是“生活”体验中的重要成分。古典的亚里士多德美德理论是基于主体的，但承认“生活经验”的重要性，无论是个人（自我）还是他们在更广泛的社区（其他人）中的关系。Phronesis，或实践智慧，是亚里士多德美德理论中的一个重要工具，因为它被理论化为帮助个人在他们“生活”的人类经验中获得智力美德（理性）和道德美德（情感），从而导致状态eudaimonia，或个人（自我）和最终更广泛的社会（其他人）的最终福祉。亚里士多德的美德理论认为，人的生命并不总是可计算、可衡量或理性的，