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

SEP 20, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Journalism Students Interview Policy Innovations

Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media students interview editor Devin T. Stewart on how journalists can use social media for newsgathering, research, interviews, crowdsourcing, and ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/deekay304/4647022764/">Deekay304</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">CC</a>)

AUG 24, 2010 Article

Is Peace Worth Fighting For?

Peace is worth fighting for--but that doesn't mean a blank check for military options, writes Joel Rosenthal. There are better, smarter, more moral ways to ...

Cartoon by Art Young. Carnegie Council Archive

AUG 20, 2010 Article

Can We Succeed Where Carnegie Failed?

Carnegie's belief was that nations could resolve disputes without resorting to war. He worked hard to create mechanisms for achieving peace, but his hopes were ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyafrica/4036215477/" target="_blank">U.S. Army Africa</a>

AUG 19, 2010 Article

Should We Stop the Next Genocide?

Should the United States, as the world's greatest military power, use its might to prevent the next outbreak of ethnic violence from turning into a ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:8103_Liquid_Terragator.JPG">Pl77</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 12, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Altered Genes and Their Vendors

The evidence on both sides of the genetic modification debate is inconclusive, but attentive regulation could ensure crop safety in developed and developing countries.

AUG 9, 2010 Podcast

Ethics for a 21st Century Army: Creating a Code of Professional Military Ethics

Major Chris Case (West Point) and David Rodin (Oxford University): What are the basic principles that should guide professional soldiers in the 21st century?

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berlinlife/403947163/">ring2</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUL 19, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Brain Scan Lie Detection

Brain scan data can be powerfully persuasive, but has the science behind it progressed far enough to warrant its use in the courtroom?

JUL 16, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Who Dies in Afghanistan: Soldiers, Civilians, or the Mission?

How do you choose missions to fight a war effectively, while minimizing civilian deaths and meeting the obligation to your soldiers?

JUL 9, 2010 Podcast

Ethics in Business: Interview with Felipe Botero, VP, MetLife

Felipe Botero is a VP at MetLife Insurance. Day-to-day, he develops insurance for retiring baby-boomers. But he is also taking on the enormous responsibility of ...

Illustration: Adam Niklewicz

JUL 7, 2010 Article

The Case for a Union: From the Fertile Crescent to the Silk Road

Authors Abtahi and Shoamanesh have a bold proposition: a multi-state, political-economic-security union that stretches from the Fertile Crescent to the Silk Road, connecting the Indian ...