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
APR 9, 2013 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Social Covenants Must Precede Social Contracts
Fragile states that do not first forge a social covenant will later find it difficult to codify justice in a social contract.
APR 3, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Argo"
"Argo," which tells the story of a creative and daring escape from revolution-era Iran, won the Oscar for Best Picture and was a resounding commercial ...
MAR 19, 2013 • Transcript
Global Thinkers Forum Interviews Devin Stewart on Ethical Leadership
"Ethical leadership means two things: ethically leading others; and shaping the way society understands ethics. Both are deeply linked. Leading in an ethical way is ...
MAR 19, 2013 • Podcast
Global Thinkers Forum Interviews Devin Stewart on Ethical Leadership
"Ethical leadership means two things: ethically leading others; and shaping the way society understands ethics. Both are deeply linked. Leading in an ethical way is ...
MAR 19, 2013 • Article
Drones: Legal, Ethical, and Wise?
The U.S. drone program raises serious ethical concerns, particularly about accountability and due process. Congress, with support from President Obama, must develop new oversight ...
MAR 15, 2013 • Podcast
Public Affairs: Everybody Matters: My Life Giving Voice
In this inspiring talk about her extraordinary life so far, Mary Robinson tells us of her early years and how she became president of Ireland, ...
MAR 11, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Zero Dark Thirty"
A fictional adaptation of the CIA's hunt for Osama bin Laden, this blockbuster has reignited the debate surrounding the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques"...
MAR 8, 2013 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: A Conversation on Bioethics with NASA's Paul Root Wolpe
In this eye-opening conversation, renowned bioethicist Dr. Wolpe grapples with the ethical issues raised by advances in biotechnology and neuroscience, including "brain fingerprinting" and eventual ...
FEB 21, 2013 • Article
"The Greatest Ethical Challenge: To Speak" by Joshua Thomas
"...What have I learned? That silence is the greatest ethical challenge; that it is so much easier to stay silent, to say nothing, to fly ...
FEB 21, 2013 • Article
"Learning to Cooperate When We're Poles Apart" by Jacob Karlsson Lagerros
Climate change is not the world's greatest challenge. Neither is relentless fanaticism, global terrorism, or the international machine of capitalism grinding to a halt. Today's ...