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
MAY 10, 2022 • Podcast
Making Decisions When Values Conflict or Are Prioritized Differently, with Paul Root Wolpe
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 ...
Related Initiatives
Carnegie Ethics Accelerator
The Carnegie Ethics Accelerator is a new kind of incubator designed to empower ethics in the face of swiftly evolving challenges in technology and public policies.
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Carnegie Ethics Fellows
The Carnegie Ethics Fellows program (CEF) seeks to cultivate the next generation of ethical global leaders across business, policy, technology, NGOs, and academia.
Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources
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 ...
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 ...
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?
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 ...
MAY 15, 2020 • Transcript
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 ...
MAY 12, 2020 • Podcast
Great Power Populism, COVID-19, & Missing Leadership, with Damjan Krnjević Mišković & Nikolas Gvosdev
What is "great power populism" and what does it mean during the pandemic? Are we heading towards another global conflict? And are there any leaders ...
MAY 8, 2020 • Podcast
Democracy on the Verge: Leadership in Times of Crisis, with Ted Widmer
In this fascinating conversation with Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal, historian Ted Widmer looks back on 13 pivotal days in Abraham Lincoln's life in 1861--the basis ...