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

Nunavut stop sign in English and Inuktitut. CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/mafic/8930067/">Patrick Smillie</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 16, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Speaking Fairly

The rise of English as a global lingua franca is one of the most striking developments of the last few decades, but the use of ...

When Principles Pay: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Bottom Line

JUN 3, 2008 Podcast

When Principles Pay: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Bottom Line

Geoffrey Heal examines how social and environmental performance affects a corporation's profitability and how the stock market reacts to a firm's behavior in these areas.

MAY 29, 2008 Podcast

Olympic Mettle: Business, Civil Society, and Politics During the Beijing Games

An expert panel discusses the ethics of engagement with China in the context of the Olympics. What lasting positive or negative effects, if any, will ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/bora_metin/1198145785/">Metin Sozen</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 22, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: In Vitro Meat, a More Humane Treat

As a growing world population demands more calories, new food technologies may help alleviate some of the hunger, cruelty, and environmental problems associated with industrial ...

The Kuwait Investment Authority was <br>created in 1953. Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/asam/423855130/">Sam</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 21, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Sovereign Wealth Funds under Scrutiny

Sovereign wealth funds could face a backlash if they fail to allay concerns over transparency.

Blood Diamond movie poster.

MAY 13, 2008 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Blood Diamond"

Set during Sierra Leone's civil war in 1999, "Blood Diamond" draws attention to the fact that the diamond trade has been used to fund conflicts.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eneas/8281241815/">Eneas De Troya</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAR 12, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Waging Peace through Commerce

Prosperity has the potential to strengthen democracies and enhance security, but only in a global atmosphere of nonaggression.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mako_side_b/6017078099/">Maako Tazawa</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 29, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Business Ethics Gone Without TRACE

As a neutral third party, TRACE works with commercial competitors to address the challenges they all face, delivering an antibribery message to corrupt officials.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/teseum/4209485915/">Teseum</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 26, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Global Strategies for Child Nutrition

So long as we treat ending child malnutrition only as a series of national problems, the effort is doomed to failure. There must be a ...

Tuna sushi. Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/ulteriorepicure/119425113/">ulterior epicure</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 19, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Trouble with Tuna

Today's globalization may be causing more stress to our planet than we realize, and the food industry is just one example. When it comes to ...