Applied Ethics

Framing ethical perspectives

Applied ethics refers to the practical applications of the moral principles that govern behavior. Carnegie Council focuses on this field, mostly through the realm of international affairs, by identifying and addressing the most critical ethical issues of today and tomorrow. Our initiatives, content, and experts analyze the way that governments, institutions, and individuals interact and make choices on global issues, such as climate change, emerging technology, and governance.

Featured Applied Ethics Resources

Practical conversations, decision analysis, and more

JUL 5, 2023 Article

A Framework for the International Governance of AI

Carnegie Council, in collaboration with IEEE, proposes a five-part AI governance framework to enable the constructive use of AI.

APR 12, 2022 Podcast

Surveillance Tech's Infinite Loop of Harms, with Chris Gilliard

In this discussion with Senior Fellow Arthur Holland Michel, Chris Gilliard explains why the arc of surveillance technology and novel AI bends toward failures that ...

Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources

COVID-19 samples being studied at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, June 2020.<br> CREDIT: <a href="https://www.army.mil/article/238434/usaisec_enabling_rapid_secure_communications_for_army_covid_19_research">U.S. Army photo by Mike Walters</a>

SEP 3, 2020 Article

The Ethics of Non-Cooperation: COVID Vaccine Questions

The search for a COVID-19 vaccine is another example of how the pandemic has increased competition among nations, writes Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev. Will the ...

Solidarity protest against anti-black violence in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2020. Credit: <a href=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solidarity_Protest_Against_Anti-black_violence_in_the_US_and_EU_DSC02745.jpg>Karen Elliot/Wikimedia (CC)</a>.

JUL 28, 2020 Article

We The People: Democracy in 2020

Mass protests have erupted around the world over the brutal killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Carnegie New Leader Rachel Baranowski argues ...

PPE & COVID-19 testing kits arrive in the Philippines from China, March 2020. <br>CREDIT: <a href=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:China_COVID19_test_kit_PH_donation_10.jpg>Philippines Presidential Communications Operations Office/Wikimedia (CC)</a>.

JUL 28, 2020 Article

Ethical Dilemmas in Ensuring Human Security

In this blog post, Carnegie Council Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev reflects on his recent "Human Security is National Security in a Time of Pandemic" webinar ...

Black Lives Matter protest in Columbus, Ohio, May 30, 2020. CREDIT: <A href=https://www.flickr.com/photos/21426642@N07/49954069361>Becker1999</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(CC)</a>.

JUL 1, 2020 Article

Where Do Human Rights Fit In? Policy Narratives Re-examined

Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev discusses Nahal Toosi's recent "Politico" article about a subtle but major shift in the international landscape: human rights groups focusing on ...

JUN 15, 2020 Podcast

The Ethics of the Coronavirus Lockdown, with Christian Barry

Due to COVID-19, significant restrictions have been placed on freedoms to move about in many nations. Philosopher Christian Barry explores how the costs of these ...

Black Lives Matter protest near the White House in Washington, DC on June 7, 2020. CREDIT: <a href=https://www.flickr.com/photos/vpickering/49982193058/in/photolist-2j9KNDh-2j8HLyo-2j8gfRF-2j8ceNs-28YCXBs-3PNWg-2j8ePpz-236VNse-7hjLfs-2j7gCdJ-p2QT8D-2j7pFRB-RCwDLE-nus8id-2j9Az2D-27tUqSG-pGdhqe-wnLiC2-HXvuL3-pGf7X5-2j7pEtg-212G4s3-21AUXJs-2s8J8-2ja5YFy-2sa57-2sa55-cDaREG-bHHavT-2sa53-2jajtQJ-4rPzz-2ia58JD-2j7tH61-bnLsYN-2j9NtRp-2j7tHWK-29ZBoXo-292fBVk-RZKY7Q-p294TD-8eK6DN-DseXHT-Rkwjok-4X5y1A-2a1hihY-SkGTp1-Szz6i6-69vein-2j7tGCs/>Victoria Pickering (CC)</a>.

JUN 10, 2020 Article

The Breonna Taylor/George Floyd Narrative? Impacts on U.S. Foreign Policy and International Standing

In this blog post, U.S. Global Engagement Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev asks: With the COVID-19 pandemic already calling America's leadership role into question, how ...

Washington, DC, June 3, 2020. CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mobili/49970479326/">Mobilus in Mobili</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(CC)</a>.

JUN 8, 2020 Article

Vox Populi: After the Event

Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev follows up on his recent "Vox Populi" webinar. The virtual event with Eurasia Group Foundation's Mark Hannah and The Chicago Council ...

JUN 8, 2020 Podcast

Mysterious Machines: The Road Ahead for AI Ethics in International Security, with Arthur Holland Michel

How do we learn to trust AI systems and what are the implications of this technology as nations confront mass protests in a post-pandemic world?

Langdon Ogburn presents at Carnegie Council's sixth annual Student Research Conference.

MAY 18, 2020 Article

Drones and Warfare, with R. Langdon Ogburn

On May 8, 2020, R. Langdon Ogburn's presentation on "Drones and Warfare" was selected as the winner of Carnegie Council's sixth annual Student Research Conference. Afterwards, Carnegie ...

MAY 15, 2020 Podcast

Ethical Leadership in Times of Crisis, with Jeff McCausland

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended daily life for everyone. From large corporations to small non-profits to schools to the military, leaders at all types of ...