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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CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkseema/464236751/">Seema K K</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 23, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Simulating Environmental Diplomacy

Incorporating environmental issues in conflict resolution may have positive psychological effects on the willingness of parties to cooperate.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bswise/4457290211/">B. S. Wise</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 22, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Pragmatic Overdose

The Obama administration is trying to redefine and energize U.S. global development policy, but so far their vision lacks creativity and clear ethics.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/intial-t/2676493092/">Lucy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 21, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Student Attitudes Surveyed

There is a fine line between self-esteem and self-absorption. It is hard to tell which side Generation Y is on, but the IBM Global Student ...

Ethics & International Affairs: A Reader, Third Edition

JUN 4, 2010 Article

Book Review: Ethics & International Affairs: A Reader, Third Edition

"...this is a fantastic, easily accessible and well-written series of contributions," writes Brent J. Steele. "...these are selections from some of the most serious, vibrant, ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/32563690/">Leo Reynolds</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 2, 2010 Article

Foundations Are Free to Innovate

Charitable and philanthropic foundations hold a uniquely privileged position in society. With the right mix of daring and rigor they can spark real creativity among ...

JUN 1, 2010 Podcast

Public Ethics Radio: Sarah Holcombe on Indigenous Intellectual Property Rights

What rules should govern business and academic interactions with so-called traditional knowledge? Sarah Holcombe examines questions of knowledge management, intellectual property rights, and research ethics ...

MAY 17, 2010 Podcast

Public Ethics Radio: Anne Phillips on Ownership and the Body

Is the human body a piece of property? We object to the sale of whole human beings, but what about cases where a person merely ...

MAY 14, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Are We Born Good?

Are babies born with the morality they need or do they learn it from society? Is morality a biological trait that builds communities through enlightened ...

MAY 11, 2010 Podcast

Devin Stewart Interviews Unmesh Brahme, Cofounder of the Climate Civics Institute

Unmesh Brahme of HSBC India discusses his newly-launched Climate Civics Institute, which grew out of a Yale World Fellowship. The Institute's mission is to create ...

The Plundered Planet:  Why We Must — and How We Can — Manage Nature for Global Prosperity

MAY 7, 2010 Podcast

The Plundered Planet: Why We Must--and How We Can--Manage Nature for Global Prosperity

What, asks Oxford economist Paul Collier, are realistic and sustainable solutions to correcting the mismanagement of the natural world? Can an international standard be established ...