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

JUL 24, 2009 Podcast

The Missing Ingredient: Applied Ethics

Policies are often debated along three dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, and expediency. In place of a fourth dimension—applied ethics—we usually find sensationalism and polarization. ...

JUL 23, 2009 Podcast

Interview with Alice Korngold

Consultant, author, and blogger Alice Korngold talks about her work connecting corporate executives with nonprofit boards, and the transformation that takes place, person after person, ...

Julia Butterfly Hill tree-sitting in 2006. CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/borderhacker/167163914/">Mark Dixon</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUL 20, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: "No Compromise in Defense of the Earth"

December 31, 2020 -- Dear Colleagues, Supporters, and Friends, I hereby resign as president of the Reputable Mainstream Environmental Lobbying Organization. The global political will necessary to ...

JUL 17, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Self-determination and Ethnic Cleansing

Modern self-determination and the concept of nationality are closely linked, and have frequently led to instances of ethnic cleansing. Can nationalism and multi-ethnic societies co-exist? ...

JUL 16, 2009 Podcast

Interview with Sarah Greenberg

Sarah Greenberg discusses the social and environmental risks that companies sometimes take and how these can affect the bottom line. Tobacco is a prime example. ...

JUL 16, 2009 Podcast

The Practical Idealism Project: Stories from the Field

How can you help change the world, and get paid for doing it? Alissa Wilson shares what she learned from interviewing scores of practical idealists, ...

Joel Rosenthal

JUL 14, 2009 Transcript

"The Current" Interviews Joel Rosenthal

Carnegie Council president Joel Rosenthal shares his thoughts on the mission and work of the Carnegie Council, the new administration, the future of realism, and ...

Joel Rosenthal

JUL 14, 2009 Podcast

"The Current" Interviews Joel Rosenthal

Carnegie Council president Joel Rosenthal shares his thoughts on the mission and work of the Carnegie Council, the new administration, the future of realism, and ...

JUL 10, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Military Intervention and Democracy?

Is it ever ethical to violate a democratic constitution? If the rationale for military intervention is to save democracy, does that make it legitimate?

JUL 10, 2009 Podcast

Interview with Hans Decker

"Money-making is the base for good business," says Columbia University's Hans Decker, "but we all intuitively know that there's more to it." Julia Kennedy talks ...