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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NOV 17, 2009 Podcast

How Rights Move: Losing and Acquiring Rights in the International Domain

David Rodin explores the logic which governs how rights may be lost, acquired and transferred--how they 'move'--and examines in particular the implications this has for ...

Yukio Hatoyama. Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/3886448885/">WEF</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

NOV 13, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: A Close Relationship Requires Compromise

The most important accomplishment of President Obama's trip to Japan would be to reassure Prime Minister Hatoyama that the tensions around Marine Corps Air Station ...

NOV 13, 2009 Podcast

Your Income, Your Liberty, and Your Equality?

Inequality in America has been accelerating rapidly since the 1980s. But capping income levels could put liberty and competitiveness at risk. This short video on ...

NOV 6, 2009 Podcast

Paying Others to Fight Our Battles

Private contractors bring important skills to tasks outside the capability or mission of military personnel, but they are not accountable to the government or American ...

NOV 3, 2009 Podcast

Public Ethics Radio: Christopher Heath Wellman on Immigration and Citizenship

From education and health care, to access to credit and the rule of law, a host of factors that influence quality of life depend simply ...

OCT 30, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: When You Cross a Line

When balancing life's complex tensions, how do you know when you've crossed a line?

OCT 23, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: How The Yes Men Fix the World

What can it tell us about our system of business ethics when two pranksters emulate corporations acting at their worst and best?

OCT 23, 2009 Podcast

Troops in Afghanistan and Fighting Foreign Wars

When war is a foreign insurgency, balancing human risks and possibility of success is a fundamental ethical dilemma for leaders. What do you think should ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/debaird/2973069800/">Derek Baird</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 20, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: The Land Ethic

An economic restructuring based on a full understanding of the role of economic rent is needed for a new economic framework beyond both the old ...

OCT 16, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Award Achievement or Encourage Potential: The Nobel's Purpose?

When choosing Nobel Peace Prize winners, should the Nobel Committee think of the future, using the Nobel's prestige to encourage peace-making? Or should they identify ...