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
MAR 13, 2026 • Video
Character and Leadership: A Conversation with Lt. General (ret.) Mark Hertling
FEB 20, 2026 • Podcast
Keeping it Real(ism), with Assoc. Professor Paul Poast
With realism having a political moment, Paul Poast discusses the intellectual roots of the theory and how it's being applied in U.S. foreign policy.
DEC 11, 2025 • Video
Re-examining our Capacity for Just Peace
Watch this discussion featuring distinguished experts reflecting on the state of war in 2025 and the obstacles to achieving just peace.
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
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...