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
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
JUL 7, 2009 • Article
A Humanitarian Assessment of the War in Iraq
The debates about withdrawing from Iraq have excluded what would seem to be a self-evident point of contention: how best to repair the damage that ...
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 ...