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
MAY 10, 2022 • Podcast
Making Decisions When Values Conflict or Are Prioritized Differently, with Paul Root Wolpe
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 ...
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
APR 8, 2010 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Rage against Virtual Rape
It is up to the Japanese to decide what regulations the nation wants to prescribe for sex industry software.
APR 1, 2010 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Promises, Promises: The Two Faces of Japan's New Government
Contradictions within the Democratic Party of Japan and the Hatoyama cabinet threaten to upset the expected July upper house elections and lead to further political ...
APR 1, 2010 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Do Good Guys Really Finish Last?
Benefits from altruism include approval, enhanced image, and neural stimulation--feeling good. Yet if you act selfishly you will have more resources, and your individual behavior ...
MAR 30, 2010 • Article
Jackson-Vanik: a Bridge to the 20th Century
U.S. and Russian leaders and Jewish organizations all agree: the U.S. should "graduate" Russia from the JV amendment, which ties freedom of trade ...
MAR 29, 2010 • Podcast
Recent Advances in the Prevention of Mass Violence
How can we prevent mass violence? Drawing on insights from leaders in the field, David Hamburg identifies the clear warnings that always appear long before ...
MAR 26, 2010 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Markets: The Invisible Hand or Fairness?
What do you think maximizes individual benefits in the marketplace? Is it cut throat competition or altruistic norms of fairness and trust? Can you have ...
MAR 25, 2010 • Article
Global Economic Policy and Human Rights: Three Sites of Disconnection
In this critical post-financial crisis period, Margot Salomon of LSE underscores the demands that international human rights law place on a more ethical form of ...
MAR 24, 2010 • Podcast
The Ethics of Exit from Afghanistan
Katherine Brown and Robert Diamond, Truman Fellows with first-hand experience in Afghanistan, discuss just how and when--both ethically and pragmatically--the U.S. can leave that ...
MAR 17, 2010 • Podcast
Rise of the Rest III: Climate Change, Energy, and Global Governance after the Financial Crisis
This panel focuses on global governance since the financial crisis, in particular on climate change, energy security, and issues of consensus, common ethics, and trust.
MAR 16, 2010 • Podcast
Darrel Moellendorf on the Climate Change Negotiations in Copenhagen
Darrel Moellendorf (author of "Treaty Norms and Climate Change Mitigation") discusses what happened in Copenhagen and what it means for future negotiations on climate change.