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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JAN 23, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Top Risks and Ethical Decisions

What is true for the individual may not be true for the group, the state, or the international system, and vice versa. Does this suggest ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/emraya/2867188734/">Emre Ayaroglu</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JAN 21, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Is Ethical Capitalism Possible?

How can business models become more sustainable? Fortunately, global human civilization has all the moral tools it needs.

JAN 16, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Choosing between Markets, Regulation, and Rewards

How can we resolve the financial melt-down and prevent another? Solutions focus on free markets, regulation, or rewards. Perhaps we should balance all three? How?

Deng Xiaoping: "It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/kevinsteele/85925031/">Kevin Steele</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JAN 8, 2009 Article

China Rediscovers Ethics in Foreign Policy

As the Chinese gradually rediscover the need to introduce ethical considerations into their foreign policy, what will those considerations be?

JAN 2, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Morgenthau and the New Administration

Should we observe Morgenthau's principles--avoid the crusading spirit and heed others' perspectives--or is promoting democracy and taking a forceful stand indispensable to U.S. foreign ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steviezj/248886048/">Stephen Jones</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 18, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: The New Science of Sustainable Dynamics

The concept of sustainability is used as a policy guide today, but beyond this important sense of applied ethics sustainability must also become a science.

Some organizations voluntarily adopt <br>whistleblower protections. Photo by <br><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/alf07/2782258974/?">Álfheiður Magnúsdóttir</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 15, 2008 Article

Raising the Bar for Hedge Funds: Self-Policing Preferable to Over-Regulation

Calls for strict oversight of hedge funds have grown recently, particularly since the arrest of trader Bernard Madoff and other high-profile fraud cases. While new ...

Some organizations voluntarily adopt <br>whistleblower protections. Photo by <br><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/alf07/2782258974/?">Álfheiður Magnúsdóttir</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 15, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Raising the Bar for Hedge Funds

Calls for strict oversight of hedge funds have grown recently, particularly since the arrest of trader Bernard Madoff and other high-profile fraud cases. While new ...

DEC 12, 2008 Podcast

Devin Stewart Interviews Chong-Pin Lin

Dr. Lin discusses Taiwan's current political crisis; relations with China; climate change; the future of democracy in East Asia; what Obama's presidency may mean for ...

DEC 12, 2008 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Robots, the Battlefield, and Ethics

Can intelligent robot soldiers be designed to be more ethical in battle than human soldiers? Would you prefer a robot or a human deciding about ...