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

JUL 26, 2011 Podcast

The (Ethical) Taste of Success

Ashok Vasudevan has what it takes to build commercially viable and socially responsible global companies. Tasty Bite, an all-natural, ready-to-eat food sold in the U....

JUL 22, 2011 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Privacy, Ethics, and "News of the World"

Outrage over "News of the World's" use of phone hacking raises the question: when is hacking acceptable? Phone surveillance is a common tool for national ...

JUL 5, 2011 Podcast

Steve Forbes on Civility in Corporate America

Economic uncertainty is a source of incivility, declares Forbes. He touches on education, politics, history, free markets, and the establishment of a new gold standard ...

JUN 24, 2011 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Justice

In "To Kill a Mockingbird" an innocent man is wrongfully sentenced. The author argues that all we can do in the face of injustice is ...

JUN 24, 2011 Podcast

Henry Kaufman on Civility in the Financial Sector

What is the underlying source of the current financial turmoil? It is not lack of technological knowledge about how to structure and to trade securities. ...

JUN 20, 2011 Podcast

Diana B. Henriques on Bernie Madoff, Wizard of Lies

Is Bernie Madoff a monster or is it easier than you might think to slip over the line? Diana B. Henriques explores the ethical questions ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennymiller/796971032/" target=_blank">Kenny Miller </a>

JUN 17, 2011 Podcast

Confronting Corruption and Ethics in Emerging Markets

Is it possible to grow a company to $1 billion in revenue in Russia without giving a single bribe? In this interactive workshop with high-level professionals, ...

JUN 10, 2011 Podcast

John Brademas and Mickey Edwards: Civility in Politics

Two distinguished former politicians, one Democrat and one Republican, agree on concrete proposals for improving U.S. politics. They include campaign finance reform; abolishing gerrymandering; ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnera/3755006104/" target=_blank">L.C.Nøttaasen</a>

JUN 2, 2011 Podcast

Leif Wenar on Natural Resources and Clean Trade Policies

Consumers in countries that import natural resources are often unwittingly in business with dictators, corrupt officials, and armed groups, says Leif Wenar. Yet we could ...

MAY 31, 2011 Podcast

Philip Howard on Civility in Everyday Life

Philip Howard argues that an excess of government regulations and the law has corroded the institutions of authority in our society, with many deleterious effects, ...