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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JUN 1, 2015 Podcast

From Nuclear Deterrence to Disarmament: Evolving Catholic Perspectives

In this timely and important discussion on nuclear weapons, Des Browne provides the broader policy context; Archbishop Auza presents the Holy See's position over the ...

MAY 29, 2015 Podcast

Ethics in U.S. Foreign Policy: Spymaster Jack Devine on the CIA

"The thing that attracted me to the Agency was a sense of mission," says 32-year CIA veteran Jack Devine. In this discussion he talks candidly ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://unsplash.com/aindraus" target="_blank">Anthony Indraus</a>.

MAY 28, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: It's Time for a U.S.-Canada Electric Auto Pact

The Canada-U.S. auto pact of 1965 was a major milestone, but it is time for a renewed vision for Canada-U.S. automotive cooperation and for ...

MAY 28, 2015 Podcast

An Interview with Shefa Siegel on Liberia, Ebola, and the Cult of Bankable Projects

It's not for lack of money that international organizations failed to prevent the disastrous spread of Ebola, says Shefa Siegel. It's for lack of flexibility ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tlimphotography/8670501769/" target="_blank">Terence Lim</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">CC</a>).

MAY 20, 2015 Article

U.S.-China MOOC Cooperation: Toward Educational Advancement

Although MOOCs are booming in China, the country still faces structural and technical challenges. A U.S.-China partnership on MOOCs will offer educational benefits ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://unsplash.com/mili_vigerova" target="_blank">Milada-Vigerova</a>  (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">CC</a>).

MAY 20, 2015 Article

Addressing Modern-Day Slavery in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Of the world's 36 million trafficking victims, nearly two-thirds are from Asian countries. In order for the United States and Asia to have a promising future ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-82144387/stock-photo-workplace-for-negotiations-on-the-nature-d-rendering.html">Shutterstock</a>

MAY 18, 2015 Podcast

Ethical Negotiation: Not an Oxymoron

In this second podcast in our collaboration with EthicalSystems.org, we examine negotiation. Turning again to behavioral science for insight, we learn that transparency and ...

MAY 11, 2015 Podcast

Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution

The Middle East needs a double revolution--not just a political one, but a social/sexual one as well, says fiery, courageous feminist Mona Eltahawy. It's ...

Students exploring the old city of Hebron with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, which works to preserve Hebron’s cultural heritage.

MAY 6, 2015 Article

Teaching About Intractable Conflicts: The Olive Tree Initiative

How can students learn to think more critically about conflicted regions and to engage people with different views in constructive dialogue? The Olive Tree Initiative ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://unsplash.com/majapetric" target="_blank">Maja Petric</a>.

MAY 5, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Reversing Climate Change: A Vision of an Organic Planet

Mark Smallwood, executive director at Rodale Institute, claims that a global shift to regenerative organic agriculture can reverse climate change.