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 ...

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SEP 21, 2016 Podcast

Measuring Positive and Negative Peace with the Global Peace Index

If you're running a business you need metrics to succeed, and it's the same with peace, says Steve Killelea, founder of the Global Peace Index. ...

SEP 20, 2016 Podcast

Is Successful Integration Possible? Best Practices from North America and Europe

How can societies help migrants integrate into the schools, work forces, and cultures of their new communities? In a partnership with the Government of Catalonia, ...

Refugees in Greece, January 2016. CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cafodphotolibrary/25046152264">CAFOD Photo Library</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(CC)</a>

SEP 14, 2016 Podcast

The UN's Peter Sutherland on the Migrant Crisis

In the run-up to the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, Joanne Myers talks with Peter Sutherland about the challenges of implementing the 1951 Refugee Convention, ...

SEP 13, 2016 Podcast

U.S. Elections & Brexit: Can Liberalism Survive?

Why are liberal values eroding across the world? Will this continue? Realist Stephen Walt says maybe not, if the U.S. can set a good ...

Sze Ping Lo

SEP 8, 2016 Article

Sze Ping Lo: Towards a New Environmental Imagination

Sze Ping Lo, CEO of WWF-China, is equal parts activist and intellectual. Now in his early 40s, in a recent conversation Lo looked back on ...

SEP 7, 2016 Podcast

Living Together in Peace: Religious Diversity in Indonesia

"Indonesia is an interesting example of where increasing intensity of religious practices among Muslims and Christians is not the factor that creates conflict and violence. ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.takepart.com/foodinc">TakePart/Participant Media</a>

AUG 30, 2016 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Food, Inc."

This documentary takes a close look at the U.S. food industry and finds that cheap food is costly and sometimes deadly to the environment, ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/7650332104">Ars Electronica</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(CC)</a>

AUG 29, 2016 Podcast

The Conscious Investor

In our last episode on conscious capitalism, we consider socially responsible investing and impact investing. We explore the shareholder's influence in promoting socially and environmentally ...

CREDIT: <a href=" https://www.facebook.com/SelmaMovie/photos/a.492695297539481.1073741828.452786068197071/564156830393327/?type=3&theater">Paramount Pictures</a>

AUG 22, 2016 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Selma"

This stirring film gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Selma-to-Montgomery march and illustrates how and why King's strategy worked. It also shows the devastating consequences ...

AUG 22, 2016 Podcast

The Conscious Company

Corporate leaders are increasingly aware that businesses can provide a positive (or negative) impact on the environment and community. But how can conscious companies prioritize ...