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-133513469/stock-photo-wall-street-sign-with-american-flags-and-new-york-stock-exchange-in-the-background.html">Shutterstock</a>

APR 13, 2015 Podcast

Ethical Systems Design: Bringing Behavioral Science Into Corporate Life

This is the first in a series of podcasts in collaboration with EthicalSystems.org to explore behavioral science in the workplace. In this installment, we're ...

Dove-origami consisting of the word "Peace" in different languages. CREDIT: <a href="http://shutr.bz/1PcsCzy" target="_blank">Azin V/Shutterstock</a>

APR 7, 2015 Article

Rethinking the Prevention Mandate of Peace NGOs: An EastWest Route

How can peace NGOs be more effective, both at preventing conflict and maintaining peace? Greg Austin of the EastWest Institute looks at the record of ...

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends anniversary of Kievan Rus in Kiev, Ukraine.<br>CREDIT: <a href= "http://tinyurl.com/kclt6ff">Slavko Sereda via Shutterstock</a>

MAR 23, 2015 Article

Russia's Orthodox Soft Power

Russia's values are often overlooked, or treated simplistically as the antithesis of Western values. We should understand that the close relationship between the Orthodox Church ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-193609520/stock-photo-london-may-external-graphics-identifying-shakespeare-s-globe-on-may-a.html?src=sARS3mmb9Qbs6AbaKsw9iQ-1-14" target="_blank">Shutterstock</a>

MAR 16, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Shakespeare on the Shop Floor

A pioneering organization is using literature to enable other sorts of conversations at the workplace—the types of conversations that successful companies need to have.

Bill Gates administers polio drops to a child in Chad. CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gatesfoundation/6198962657/" target="_blank">Gates Foundation</a>

MAR 5, 2015 Podcast

Dual Legacy: The Effect of Business Thinking on the Social Sector

This month on "Impact," we're taking a close look at a huge issue--legacy. In this case, we're examining how it relates to contemporary philanthropy and ...

MAR 4, 2015 Podcast

Tourism, Farmers, & Technology in Africa: Eddie Mandhry from NYU Africa House

"What's been amazing is that across Africa there is a movement where people are adopting technologies and leapfrogging some of the developmental stages that you'd ...

Sweet potato in a "special" shape. CREDIT: <a href="http://shutr.bz/1F9WhTC" target="_blank">Shutterstock</a>

MAR 4, 2015 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Eating "Ugly," a New Healthy Trend

England and France are using creativity to push consumers to buy "ugly" fruits and vegetables.

MAR 2, 2015 Podcast

Patients with Passports: Medical Tourism, Law, and Ethics

Medical tourism is big business, involving millions of patients who travel abroad to get health care. Some travel to avoid queues and save money. Others ...

Image via <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-242704603/stock-photo-broken-and-bloody-pencil-all-on-white-background.html?src=uChUZt1OoYDjugWaBbekdA-1-5&ws=1"_target=blank">Shutterstock</a>

MAR 2, 2015 Article

Killing and Cartoons

This year Paris and Copenhagen learned that there are still people willing to kill for cartoons. The dilemma of what to think about their publication ...

Director Abderrahmane Sissako with cast. <a href="http://cohenmedia.filmtrackonline.com/extranet/pages/explorerview.aspx?projectId=9d925386-5c1e-e411-ba69-d4ae527c3b65">Cohen Media</a>

FEB 25, 2015 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Timbuktu"

An extraordinary film, "Timbuktu" chronicles a brief period during the 2012 occupation of the ancient Malian city by the militant Islamic group Ansar Dine. What do ...