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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DEC 3, 2015 Podcast

Suchitra Vijayan on the Politics and Rhetoric of the Refugee Crisis

The co-founder of the Resettlement Legal Aid Project in Cairo during the Iraq War, Suchitra Vijayan discusses the refugee crisis from a legal, political, and ...

CREDIT:<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/22779585433/" target="_blank">Yann Caradec</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(CC)</a>

DEC 2, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: International Efforts to Curb Emissions: Will Paris Succeed Where Others Have Failed?

Questioning the effectiveness and capacity of the UN to solve this global problem is highly relevant.

CREDIT: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/GVLhWdib3BU" target="_blank">Petter Rudwall</a>.

NOV 30, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Short-term Goodies versus Long-term Harm: The Ethical Dilemmas of Climate Change

A conversation with philosopher Stephen Gardiner on how humanity should confront the climate change debate.

CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/windwalkernld/6283815544/" target="_blank">Jeroen Mul</a>

NOV 24, 2015 Article

Report: Conference on Cultural Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 2015

Can cultural rights become a global discourse for supporting inclusive social and political development, and for fostering intercultural dialogue for the mutual understanding of cultures? ...

Syrian Refugees, Turkey-Syria Border, February 2015. CREDIT: <a href="www.shutterstock.com/pic-326208443/stock-photo-sanliurfa-turkey-february-syrian-refugees-walking-on-turkey-syria-border-in-suruc-district.html">Shutterstock</a>

NOV 19, 2015 Article

Beyond Paris: The Refugee Crisis in Europe

"Closing borders in the West will not only worsen the already unimaginable human rights disaster that asylum seekers are facing, but it will also add ...

Nov 14, 2015: French Police checking vehicles on bridge between France and Germany after Paris attacks. CREDIT: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nku4sjt">Shutterstock</a>

NOV 16, 2015 Article

Why France Should Not Close Its Borders

Since September 11, 2001, both the U.S. and Europe have merged anti-terrorism strategies with immigration policy, and with little success.

CREDIT: <a href="- http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-231458125/stock-photo-american-flag-in-the-city.html">Shutterstock</a>

NOV 13, 2015 Podcast

Julia Taylor Kennedy on Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce

Veterans face life-or-death challenges during their military service, but adjusting to a life in the workforce can be even trickier for some. Just in time ...

NOV 13, 2015 Podcast

The Global Refugee Crisis

How can Christian leaders help Europe cope with the flood of refugees? Renowned Czech theologian Father Tomàš Halik argues that Christianity, especially the Catholic Church, ...

NOV 9, 2015 Podcast

The Confucian Vision for a Good Society

James Hsiung gives a clear and compelling explanation of Confucius' views on harmonious human relations and how societies should be run, discussing how his thought ...

Credit: <a href="http://www.icrw.org/" target="_blank">International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)</a>.

NOV 9, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Boys and Girls Are Born Equal: The Power of Challenging Gender Norms Early in Life

A program in India is working to redefine masculinity and the way that children think about their roles in society.