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
MAR 13, 2026 • Video
Character and Leadership: A Conversation with Lt. General (ret.) Mark Hertling
FEB 20, 2026 • Podcast
Keeping it Real(ism), with Assoc. Professor Paul Poast
With realism having a political moment, Paul Poast discusses the intellectual roots of the theory and how it's being applied in U.S. foreign policy.
DEC 11, 2025 • Video
Re-examining our Capacity for Just Peace
Watch this discussion featuring distinguished experts reflecting on the state of war in 2025 and the obstacles to achieving just peace.
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
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
JUL 18, 2012 • Podcast
Garrett Cullity on Climate Change
Since there is very little any given individual can do to address climate change, there is a problem drawing a line from collective responsibility to ...
JUN 26, 2012 • Article
Dealing with "Enablers" in Mass Atrocities: A New Human Rights Concept Takes Shape
Because mass atrocities are organized crimes, crippling the means to organize and sustain them--money, communications networks, and other resources--can disrupt their execution, writes George Lopez.