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
MAY 10, 2022 • Podcast
Making Decisions When Values Conflict or Are Prioritized Differently, with Paul Root Wolpe
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 ...
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
JUL 3, 2009 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Why Is Health Care So Difficult?
Why can't the U.S. negotiate a domestic solution to health care? Individuals are certainly responsible for their health. A wealthy society can also be ...
JUL 2, 2009 • Podcast
Interview with George Pohle
"When companies go above and beyond with regard to the corporate responsibility that customers expect, they frequently can charge higher prices, get better market share, ...
JUL 2, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Institutional Trappings
The institutionalization of religion seems symptomatic of the human tendency to mistrust our own intuitions, which can result in an abdication of responsibility.
JUL 1, 2009 • Podcast
Pillars of Ethics
Carnegie Council president Joel Rosenthal discusses three pillars of ethics--pluralism, rights and responsibilities, and fairness--with Council staff members Madeleine Lynn and William Vocke.
JUN 12, 2009 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Pillars of Choice: Fairness
Fairness is a universal concept, but its application depends on time and place. The three pillars of ethical choice—pluralism, rights and responsibilities, and fairness—...
JUN 5, 2009 • Podcast
Pillars of Choice: Rights and Responsibilities
Balancing rights and responsibilities is one of the pillars supporting ethical choice. How far do our rights extend? Do responsibilities diminish our entitlements?
JUN 3, 2009 • Podcast
Ethical Policy Dilemmas in the Promotion of U.S. Human Rights Values
What are realistic processes of social change that should inform effective human rights policy and its implementation? Should human rights issues be pressed even if ...
MAY 29, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Deterrence Beats Diplomacy on North Korea
There are enormous limits as to what Japan, South Korea, and the United States could do about North Korea even if China agreed to follow ...
MAY 29, 2009 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Pillars of Choice: Pluralism
How do we celebrate differences without falling into the trap of cultural relativism?
MAY 22, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Mass Incarceration as Social Control
Historians of mass incarceration in the U.S. have long argued for an assessment of the U.S. criminal justice system in terms of human ...