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 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 ...

Illustration by Dennis Doyle

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 ...

Patrol in Afghanistan<br>Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/4378533001" target="_blank">U.S. Army</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC</a>)

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 ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/takver/4178693304/">Takver</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

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.

MAR 12, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Greece, Goldman, and Financial Transparency?

This short video on ethics asks: Is Goldman Sachs responsible for the current financial crisis in Greece? Or should Greek politicians who knew of Goldman's ...

MAR 10, 2010 Podcast

Michael Doyle on Nonintervention and the Responsibility to Protect

What circumstances justify overriding sovereignty? Michael Doyle discusses the difficult questions surrounding nonintervention and the "unanimous revolution" of 2005, which led to the new norm known ...

FEB 26, 2010 Podcast

Is Public Diplomacy Beneficial for all Participants?

One goal of public diplomacy is to create allies inside other states through education programs or cultural exchanges. Should this be viewed as enriching individuals, ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theverypage/2469440713/">Joshua Heineman</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 22, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The Future of Capitalism and Danger of Returning to Business as Usual

When it comes to making sense of international finance and economics, the era of so-called scientific certainties is over. To address the structural challenges the ...

Satchmo in Cairo. CREDIT: United States Department of State (PD).

FEB 20, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The Evolution of Revolution

Revolution is hard work, and lethal. Social media has a communicative role to play in the sophisticated design of systems that will undermine human suffering ...