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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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.

CREDIT: Amanda Ghanooni

NOV 5, 2015 Article

Jiyoung Song on Asia and the West: "Whose Century?"

Is this the end of the American Century, the beginning of an Asian Century, or none of the above? Is there a model for the ...

Bear Mountain Bridge on the Hudson River in New York. CREDT: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-39726694/stock-photo-bear-mountain-bridge-on-hudson-river-with-autumn-leaves.html">Shutterstock</a>

NOV 4, 2015 Podcast

Riverkeeper, Defending New York's Hudson River

Riverkeeper fights to protect the Hudson and the drinking water for nine million New Yorkers. Paul Gallay relates three of its success stories, offering lessons ...

Busy Crossing Street in Hong Kong, China. CREDIT: <a href="http://shutr.bz/1PgFnta" target="_blank">Shuttersock</a>

NOV 2, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Building Cities from Scratch: Is There a Formula for a Sustainable City?

In the contemporary urban development industry ideas travel in the context of a commercial transaction in which practitioners are hired to provide a service.

OCT 29, 2015 Podcast

Population Ethics in the Time of Global Warming

One of the most important insights to emerge slowly over the past hundred years is that the actions of the current generation could have profound ...

OCT 28, 2015 Podcast

How to Live in the Anthropocene

In 1997 a distinguished group of scientists published an influential article in which they concluded that "it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet." ...

OCT 23, 2015 Podcast

Secular Ethics: Old/New Shakyamuni, Dalai Lama

In this lively, learned, and funny talk, leading U.S. expert on Tibetan Buddhism Robert Thurman riffs off the Dalai Lama's secular ethics project, laying ...