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

FEB 27, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Immigrants and Jobs

A Colombian immigrant was recently denied her investor's visa, forcing her to shut down her U.S. company and fire her six employees. Does immigration ...

FEB 20, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: The Great Firewall of China

Should foreign companies fudge a commitment to free speech to gain early market access? Is some information better than none, or is censorship a black ...

Obama's exclusive <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAnQASZS-70">Al Arabiya interview</a>.

FEB 18, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The New Ethic of Public Diplomacy

With President Obama's choice for under secretary of public diplomacy still unknown, it's hard to gauge where strategic communications are headed. But in the era ...

FEB 13, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Has Water Become a Right?

Less than one percent of the earth's water is consumable, and many parts of the world may be heading toward water bankruptcy. Should private ownership ...

image of book cover - Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century

FEB 11, 2009 Podcast

Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century

Once the stuff of science fiction, robotics are already changing the way wars are being fought, says P.W. Singer. How will they affect the ...

FEB 6, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Buy American? Is There a Choice?

While saving jobs is an urgent task in today's economy, promoting "Buy American" policies may hurt our chances of recovering from the recession. How can ...

1955 Tareyton Twosome Cigarette Twins<br>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan_thewlis/2888985759/in/set-72157605568875294/" target="_blank">Joan Thewlis</a> (CC)

FEB 4, 2009 Article

Doing the Right Thing: How Organizations Can Help us Make Ethical Decisions

What sorts of features must we instill in a collective to make it easier for people to make the decision to tell the truth? What ...

JAN 30, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: How Real Is Virtual?

Virtual worlds are online environments in which users interact via self-designed persona called avatars. Virtual reality can be entertaining and educational, but at what point ...

JAN 28, 2009 Podcast

Public Ethics Radio: Jeff McMahan on Proportionality

Israeli officials insist that their attacks on Gaza were judiciously planned so as to minimize harm to civilians. What role do civilian casualties play in ...

JAN 26, 2009 Podcast

Top Risks and Ethical Decisions 2009

What dangers are lurking for 2009? Taking Eurasia Group's list of Top Risks as a starting point, this lively discussion examines the ethical aspects of these ...