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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MAR 8, 2011 Podcast

Ethics Matter: Political Scientist Joseph S. Nye, Jr.

Joseph Nye discusses the sources of his ideas, his major concepts such as soft power, the impact of these concepts, and his thoughts on the ...

MAR 2, 2011 Podcast

WAMC Radio's Alan Chartock Interviews Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal

Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal discusses Andrew Carnegie's vision for world peace and the mission and work of today's Carnegie Council, along with issues such ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lliurealbir/4852902762/">Albir</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 28, 2011 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Better Safe than Sorry

Corporate executives should never have to apologize for violations when they can instead build global opportunities by advancing human rights.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciat/5367322642/">International Center for Tropical Agriculture</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 15, 2011 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Is Famine the New Norm?

If we truly consider world hunger an abomination, and not merely an investment opportunity, big changes need to be made in food policy.

JAN 18, 2011 Podcast

Ethics Matter: Chris Brown, LSE Professor of International Relations

Chris Brown reveals the roots of his current thinking, and discusses his views on Marxism, human rights, humanitarian intervention, direct versus representational democracy, and cosmopolitanism ...

DEC 3, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Interests or Values: The West and Israel

Western support of Israel demonstrates a clash of interests and values. Israel is a key U.S. ally, yet its policies towards Gaza and the ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkoshy/3646793728/">Koshy Koshy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

NOV 19, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Saving the Last Tiger Strongholds

An additional $35 million per year for population monitoring, stronger law enforcement, and community organizing could enable tiger numbers to double in their last 42 strongholds.

British Army Flag

OCT 19, 2010 Article

Defence Review is an Opportunity, not a Threat, to our Military

Britain's military capacity is likely to shrink following the soon-to-be-released strategic defence and security review. But many of the changes most feared by the military ...

OCT 15, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Politics and Civility

Civility has fled the 24/7 news cycle. Public life need not be this way. Why do we tolerate, even gorge, on this lack of civility? How ...

SEP 20, 2010 Podcast

Forty Years After Friedman: What is the Proper Role of Business in Society?

In 1970 Milton Friedman published an article entitled "The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits." In light of current business problems, such as ...