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
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 ...
NOV 25, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Contested Governance in a Global-Corporate World
Can nation-states, global corporations, and civil society alliances stabilize in a new form of effective global governance?
NOV 25, 2009 • Podcast
Web 2.0 and Corporate Accountability
In July 2009, the Harvard Kennedy School's Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative launched a six-month project on Web 2.0 and corporate accountability. This expert panel discusses the project's ...
NOV 24, 2009 • Podcast
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?
Political philosopher Michael Sandel turns the Council into a classroom. Using questions such as military service, he engages the audience in a lively debate on ...
NOV 20, 2009 • Podcast
Can You Ever Earn Too Much?
Within society there seems to be a general public disdain for excess and a private commitment to excess. Should there be formal or informal standards ...