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 ...

Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources

Joshua Asaro

FEB 4, 2015 Article

"'Acta Non Verba' (Deeds Not Words)" by Joshua M. Asaro

"If we are to see growth in our society in the next hundred years, we have got to see an end to the days where ...

JAN 15, 2015 Podcast

Top Risks and Ethical Decisions 2015

"The world in 2015 looks a lot more dangerous, a lot more vulnerable," says global political risk specialist Ian Bremmer in his annual forecast. He notes ...

CREDIT: Gusta Johnson

JAN 7, 2015 Podcast

Unaccountable: Janine Wedel on how Elite Power Brokers have Corrupted the U.S. System

Anthropologist Janine Wedel exposes America's "new corruption"--the unprecedented ways that many politicians, retired generals, academics, bankers, and physicians exploit their prestige and insider knowledge.

DEC 22, 2014 Podcast

Money and American Politics: A Conversation with Lawrence Lessig

On a crusade against the corrupting influence of money in politics, Lawrence Lessig founded a "super PAC" which raised $10 million to support candidates committed to ...

DEC 16, 2014 Podcast

The Business of Humanitarian Aid and Philanthropy: A Case Study

By using a single organization, SaveLIFE Foundation in India, as a case study, this episode of Impact explores how NGOs in emerging markets adopt business ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-106093970/stock-photo-man-holding-capsules-in-front-of-complete-wavy-national-flag-of-brazil-symbolizing-health-medicine.html">Shutterstock</a>

DEC 15, 2014 Article

Public Health in Brazil

Few countries in the world match Brazil's pledge to provide universal, free health care as a constitutional right. This promise extends far beyond routine check-ups ...

DEC 3, 2014 Podcast

An Introduction to Centennial Ebook of Roundtables from "Ethics & International Affairs"

In this podcast, Zach Dorfman introduces the Centennial collection of roundtables on the most critical issues facing the world today: the idea of a global ...

NOV 20, 2014 Podcast

Michael Ignatieff in Conversation with Paul Holdengräber at the NYPL

Carnegie Council Centennial Chairman Michael Ignatieff, a Canadian writer, teacher, and former politician, discusses his life, his work, and the Council's Centennial project, Ethics for ...

NOV 14, 2014 Podcast

A Conversation with David Keyes on Advancing Human Rights

In the Soviet era, it was difficult to alert the world of what was happening to dissidents, says David Keyes. Today, however, there's an overload ...

NOV 11, 2014 Podcast

A Conversation with Will Kymlicka on the Challenges of Multiculturalism

From Canada to Europe, how do different societies deal with immigrant groups? How have their policies evolved and where are they headed? What rights should ...