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 ...

Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources

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 ...

The Idea of Justice

OCT 8, 2009 Podcast

The Idea of Justice

The traditional theory of social justice is out of touch with practical realities, says Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. Instead he proposes a theory of comparative ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talkradionews/3657347055/">Talk Radio News Service</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 7, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The Rise of Climate Protectionism

A new and dangerous form of trade and technology protectionism is fast emerging in the name of climate change, and it is poisoning North-South relations ...

Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/noborder/2560885744">No Border Network</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 7, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Informal Economy Pulls Migrants to Europe

Politicians are unwilling to admit that the informal economy provides low-paying work for paperless migrants in Southern Europe, and that border control is impotent without ...

OCT 2, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Whose Art Is It?

Should cultural treasures, acquired under dubious circumstances, be returned to their places of origin?

OCT 1, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Six Models for Brand-CSR Integration

Integrating CSR and brand development can be daunting without a road map. This analysis identifies six models that companies can readily replicate in their own ...