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
JAN 19, 2010 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Developing a Reconciliation Indicator
A composite indicator is needed to substantiate the impact of community-led reconciliation processes and to better target sustainable development aid in post-conflict zones.
JAN 8, 2010 • Podcast
Top Risks and Ethical Decisions 2010
The Eurasia Group identified ten top global risks for business this year, which should be understood not just as political and economic, but also as ...
DEC 22, 2009 • Podcast
East Asian Security and Democracy: The Place of Taiwan
Taiwan has transformed itself into a prosperous, vibrant democracy, and recently tensions between Taiwan and China have lessened. As the balance of power between the ...
DEC 18, 2009 • Podcast
The Cost of Climate Change
This short clip on ethics asks: Is climate change a common public burden, or should individuals make their own choices? Globally do modernized countries have ...
DEC 17, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Ending War in Our Lifetimes?
President Obama will need to discard old foreign policy doctrines and steer with a more global moral compass to meet the vision of eradicating war ...
DEC 15, 2009 • Podcast
On Compromise and Rotten Compromises
Compromise can be a political virtue, especially for the sake of peace. When is political compromise acceptable, and when is it fundamentally rotten? What if ...
DEC 11, 2009 • Podcast
Am I My Brothers' Keeper?
This short video on ethics asks: Are we responsible for the well-being of children around the globe, millions of whom die every year from preventable ...
DEC 4, 2009 • Podcast
Democracy and Waging War
In a difficult and protracted war democracies may accept a draw due to a lack of public support. If you were caught between bowing to ...
DEC 4, 2009 • Article
Rationing Healthcare? We're Already Doing It
The question today is not whether to start rationing healthcare. We are already rationing, based in large part on the ability to pay. The question ...
NOV 25, 2009 • Article
Prize-Winning Student Essay: Globalization and Opportunity
Katie Carns, winner of the Carnegie Council/Semester at Sea Student Competition, reflects on what she learned about other countries--and the U.S.--on her ...