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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Arguing About War by Michael Walzer

FEB 28, 2006 Podcast

Arguing About War (2006)

For the first time since his classic "Just and Unjust Wars" was published in 1977, Professor Michael Walzer has again collected his most provocative arguments about ...

JAN 16, 2006 Article

Background Papers on Ethics and Debt

Herman's "The Players and the Game of Sovereign Debt" describes arrangements that guide the interactions of actors involved in this issue. Barry's "Ethical Issues Relevant ...

Global Responsibilities, Andrew Kuper ed.

SEP 19, 2005 Podcast

Global Responsibilities: How Can Multinational Corporations Deliver on Human Rights?

Who has the responsibility to alleviate poverty and uphold human rights in a globalized world where corporations often wield more power than nation-states?

Return to Greatness: How America Lost Its Sense of Purpose and What It Needs To Do to Recover It by Alan Wolfe

APR 19, 2005 Podcast

Return to Greatness: How America Lost Its Sense of Purpose and What It Needs to Do to Recover It

In a candid discussion of American politics and ideals, Alan Wolfe looks to the future and how the U.S. can keep liberty and equality ...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington D.C. CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Washington_D.C._-_Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt_Memorial_0029.jpg">Stefan Fussan via Wikimedia Commons</a>

MAR 8, 2005 Transcript

America and the World: Ethical Dimensions to Power

Taking Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms"—freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom of worship, and freedom of expression—as a departure point, Joel Rosenthal and Michael ...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington D.C. CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Washington_D.C._-_Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt_Memorial_0029.jpg">Stefan Fussan via Wikimedia Commons</a>

MAR 8, 2005 Podcast

America and the World: Ethical Dimensions to Power

Taking Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms"—freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom of worship, and freedom of expression—as a departure point, Joel Rosenthal and Michael ...

FEB 3, 2005 Transcript

Conflict and Order in the New Age of Preventive War

Nichols believes that the norm against preventive military action is rapidly being eroded and that we are headed into an era where preventive war will ...

FEB 3, 2005 Podcast

Conflict and Order in the New Age of Preventive War

Nichols believes that the norm against preventive military action is rapidly being eroded and that we are headed into an era where preventive war will ...

NOV 18, 2004 Transcript

Bioethical Debates on Human Enhancement

Edited transcript of a 11/18/04 Leonard Lopate show on WNYC radio on the ethical challenges posed by the rapid advances in biotechnology.

NOV 18, 2004 Podcast

Bioethical Debates on Human Enhancement

Edited transcript of a 11/18/04 Leonard Lopate show on WNYC radio on the ethical challenges posed by the rapid advances in biotechnology.