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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SEP 26, 2012 Podcast

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

"Haidt is one of the smartest and most creative psychologists alive, and his newest book, "The Righteous Mind," is a tour de force--a brave, brilliant ...

SEP 24, 2012 Podcast

Ethics Matter: Dambisa Moyo on How Aid to Africa is Harmful

Aid has failed to create economic growth, says Moyo, and allows governments to evade their responsibilities. So when people say that aid provides essential services, ...

Peace Palace in The Hague. CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peace_Palace_in_The_Hague_(9347428414).jpg">Roman Boed</a> via Wikimedia

SEP 19, 2012 Transcript

Peace: What Is it Good for?

Andrew Carnegie was ahead of his time; he questioned the essence of imperial Great Power politics and offered an alternate future. He debunked the glorification ...

Peace Palace in The Hague. CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peace_Palace_in_The_Hague_(9347428414).jpg">Roman Boed</a> via Wikimedia

SEP 19, 2012 Podcast

Peace: What Is it Good for?

Andrew Carnegie was ahead of his time; he questioned the essence of imperial Great Power politics and offered an alternate future. He debunked the glorification ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ooocha/3059640405/lightbox/">U.S. Navy/Emmitt Hawks</a> (PD).

AUG 23, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: New Approaches to Humanitarian Migration

Many people cross international borders because their lives have been ruined by an earthquake, flood, drought, or hurricane. But they face a black hole of ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/billburris/2271319929/">Bill Burris</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 15, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Repairing the Shattered Sky

A new film looks at American leadership during the ozone crisis and compares it to the situation with global warming today. The clock is ticking ...

AUG 10, 2012 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Is Censorship Ever Justified?

From jailing bloggers in Ethiopia to legislating religion-neutral clothing in France, censorship takes many forms. Is censorship ever warranted, even if it's used to promote ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42507736@N02/5842782525/in/photostream">Steve Dunleavy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 10, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Can Bioregionalism Go Global Before Collapse?

Bioregionalism proposes an alternative future in which overconsumption is drastically reduced, the natural environment is preserved, and proactive measures are taken to provide basic needs.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42507736@N02/5957956718/">Steve Dunleavy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 3, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Building Bioregional Politics for an Ecological Civilization

The developed countries need to learn to live more sustainably within the confines of the local resources available to them rather than exploiting the resources ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoosay/5912424275/in/photostream/">Surian Soosay</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">(CC)</a>.

JUL 30, 2012 Article

The Phone Hacking Scandal: Global Implications

The UK hacking scandal was a major breach of law and ethics. Yet too extreme a backlash runs the risk of throwing the baby out ...