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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DEC 18, 2006 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: South Africa Takes Leading Role on Same-sex Marriage Rights

South Africa recently legalized same-sex marriage in a move demonstrating further progress from a past fraught with inequality and discrimination. South Africa is the first ...

DEC 15, 2006 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Diamond Movie Unearths Rock-hard Ethical Dilemmas

Given that cinema is a cultural tastemaker, Blood Diamond has a chance of damaging the global diamond trade, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most profitable ...

DEC 7, 2006 Podcast

Reconciling Business Ethics Approaches

Rodin discusses how private businesses can reconcile the tensions between the stake-holder approach and the shareholder approach.

Bono, Product RED founder and spokesperson. Photo by Wilson <br>Dias for Agência Brasil.

NOV 21, 2006 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Is Ethical Clothing No Sweat?

Irish rocker Bono announced in January the launch of Product RED, a venture designed to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis ...

The Alchemist's Wedding Band, by Ana M. Lopez.

NOV 14, 2006 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: The Ethical Metalsmiths Story

Ethical Metalsmiths is dedicated to increasing awareness of ethical issues in the mining industry, creating a market for metals and gemstones that are sourced and ...

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammurabi%27s_Code" target=_blank>Hammurabi's Code</a>, an early legal innovation.

OCT 31, 2006 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Equitable Legalization: Give Consumers Legal Protection against Amoral Trade

Kim Beng Phar describes the difficult and often impossible legal paths that citizens and consumers face when trying to sue for human rights violations in ...

SEP 18, 2006 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Ethical Debate Simmers over GM Food

As with all of humanity’s efforts to tinker with nature, GM food has its share of benefits and risks—as well as vocal dissidents ...

JUN 1, 2006 Transcript

Just War?

The U.S. and other developed nations are moving into an era where preventive war is acceptable—even though to say so openly is still ...

JUN 1, 2006 Podcast

Just War?

The U.S. and other developed nations are moving into an era where preventive war is acceptable—even though to say so openly is still ...

MAR 14, 2006 Podcast

Interview with Dr. Barnett Rubin

"It's very difficult to be optimistic," says Dr. Rubin, one of the world's foremost experts on Afghanistan. "Still, five years ago we could never have ...