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

CREDIT: President Obama at a 2012 campaign rally in Las Vegas via <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-132479609/stock-photo-las-vegas-november-president-barack-obama-speaks-at-presidential-campaign-rally-at-cheyenne.html">Shutterstock</a>

FEB 5, 2014 Podcast

Mobilize Your People Like Obama: Applying Lessons from the 2012 Campaign to Your Everyday Work

In 2012, Barack Obama won a hard-fought victory in a campaign driven by advanced community organizing tactics, big data, and technology. In this lively workshop with ...

Ebuka Okoli

JAN 31, 2014 Article

Honorable Mention, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

Ebuka Francis Okoli cites examples of many inspiring moral leaders, including Mother Teresa, Peter Benenson, founder of Amnesty International, and Dora Nkem Akunyili, former head ...

Akshata R. Prabhu

JAN 31, 2014 Article

1st Prize Undergraduate Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

"All I ask of you today is to think these three questions through: Why do you believe in your morals? Why should I believe in ...

Alex G. Kim

JAN 31, 2014 Article

3rd Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

"For me, a moral leader is any individual, big or small, who can change at least one person's life for the better. Without fame and ...

Amulya Kandikonda

JAN 31, 2014 Article

2nd Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

"Why can't economics and social justice have similar creeds? In my future, I hope I can see a world in which they can. The society ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rouelshimi/5445003715/">Rowan El Shimi</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

JAN 31, 2014 Article

2nd Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

"It may be yet another morning in Fairfax, Virginia, but there is yet another massacre happening in Egypt. In Syria. In Somalia. The world is, ...

Deniz Dutz

JAN 31, 2014 Article

1st Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

In a world where journalists are crucial in shining a light on immoral actions by both local and national governments, countries such as Turkey and ...

Gabriel Rosen

JAN 31, 2014 Article

1st Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013

"Moral leadership is the transcendence of political realities by a person of conscience in the pursuit of a grand ideal. I define moral leadership as ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvoves/4569871721">Joseph Voves</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JAN 31, 2014 Article

The Moral Operating System of a Global City: Los Angeles

For global cities to solve the central problem of collaboration among strangers, they need a moral operating system: shared codes and behaviors that enable people ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/9190784811">thierry ehrmann</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

JAN 8, 2014 Article

Secrets and Allies: UK and U.S. Government Reaction to the Snowden Leaks

Is Edward Snowden a whistleblower, a traitor, or a mixture of both? How should he and the media that published his leaks be treated? Journalist ...