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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SEP 30, 2009 Podcast

Reform of the International Monetary and Financial System

The spread of the financial crisis from a few developed countries to the entire global economy provides tangible evidence that the international trade and financial ...

SEP 22, 2009 Podcast

Losing the News: The Future of the News That Feeds Democracy

"Internet culture values speed over accuracy, edge over fairness and balance, and above all, entertainment value above importance and significance. We can be overfed but ...

Cover image, Global Corruption Report 2009

SEP 21, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Under the Cover: Global Corruption Report 2009

Policy Innovations interviews Robin Hodess of Transparency International on her organization's brand new Global Corruption Report 2009, which this year focuses on corruption and the private ...

SEP 18, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Climate Protectionism and Competitiveness

The global circulation of goods is a major source of both prosperity and carbon emissions. This short audio on ethics asks: Can trade be regulated ...

SEP 16, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Who Pays for Global Warming?

This short clip on ethics asks: Who pays to stop global warming? How to allocate emissions allowances? If people are entitled to an equal share ...

SEP 9, 2009 Podcast

Realism as Pragmatic Cooperation

Remedies to global challenges are less about romantic dreams to improve the world and more about pragmatism and sustainability. The pragmatic and ethical thing to ...

SEP 3, 2009 Podcast

Interview with Julius Walls, Jr., CEO, Greyston Bakery

Greyston Bakery was started on the premise of bringing the unemployed into the workforce. In fact the company's motto is, "We don't hire people to ...

SEP 2, 2009 Podcast

Jeffrey McCausland Interviews Eric "Rick" Olson: The Role of Military Contractors

"I just couldn't conceive of a battlefield now without contractors," says Olson, former Major General in the U.S. army and now an independent defense ...

AUG 28, 2009 Podcast

Ecological Intervention

Do states have a responsibility to protect the planet? If so, who would decide when environmental protection is a legitimate reason to interfere in the ...

AUG 22, 2009 Podcast

Michael Selgelid on Infectious Diseases

Can we infringe individual rights to promote public health? Should, say, people be allowed to decide for themselves when they are too infectious to get ...