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
MAY 10, 2022 • Podcast
Making Decisions When Values Conflict or Are Prioritized Differently, with Paul Root Wolpe
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 ...
Related Initiatives
Carnegie Ethics Accelerator
The Carnegie Ethics Accelerator is a new kind of incubator designed to empower ethics in the face of swiftly evolving challenges in technology and public policies.
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Carnegie Ethics Fellows
The Carnegie Ethics Fellows program (CEF) seeks to cultivate the next generation of ethical global leaders across business, policy, technology, NGOs, and academia.
Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources
DEC 19, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Dirty Wars"
"Dirty Wars" chronicles the undeclared shadow wars fought across the globe in the name of American national security--as well as the highly secretive agencies who ...
DEC 16, 2013 • Article
Jeffrey Sachs: Idealist or Extreme Pragmatist?
Nina Munk's book about economist Jeffrey Sachs portrays his defense of the global poor as an act of faithful idealism. She could not have it ...
DEC 10, 2013 • Article
Ill Fares the Invisible Hand
According to census data from 2012, there are 46.5 million Americans currently living in poverty. That is more than one in seven Americans, or roughly 15 percent of ...
DEC 3, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "The Fifth Estate"
"The Fifth Estate" tells the story of Julian Assange and his Wikileaks organization. Since the story is still ongoing, was it too early to make ...
NOV 27, 2013 • Podcast
The Constitution Project: Task Force Report on Detainee Treatment
In many instances, U.S. forces used interrogation techniques which constitute torture; the nation's most senior officials bear ultimate responsibility; and there is no evidence ...
NOV 22, 2013 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: A Conversation with Online Activist Ricken Patel
A brilliant student, Ricken Patel could have had a stellar career in any field he wished. Instead he chose to live among the poor in ...
NOV 21, 2013 • Article
November 22, 1963. "John F. Kennedy Has Been Taken From Us."
"John F. Kennedy has been taken from us; there is an aching emptiness where there was once a bright presence. We are left now to ...
NOV 21, 2013 • Podcast
Symposium at the Scottish Parliament: From War to a Global Ethic
Is it possible to create a global code of ethics? In this Carnegie Council Centennial Symposium at the Scottish Parliament, the panelists discuss Andrew Carnegie's ...
NOV 19, 2013 • Article
Passionate Conviction and Inclusive Community
"Convictions matter. At least our own convictions--the affirmations, commitments, and practices that are central to our personal and social identity--matter to us. Yet because we ...
NOV 12, 2013 • Podcast
Citizenship Within and Across Nations
Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah explores the role of civic honor, and its negative counterpart, shame, in shaping the political behavior of individuals and of nations, ...