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
MAR 13, 2026 • Video
Character and Leadership: A Conversation with Lt. General (ret.) Mark Hertling
FEB 20, 2026 • Podcast
Keeping it Real(ism), with Assoc. Professor Paul Poast
With realism having a political moment, Paul Poast discusses the intellectual roots of the theory and how it's being applied in U.S. foreign policy.
DEC 11, 2025 • Video
Re-examining our Capacity for Just Peace
Watch this discussion featuring distinguished experts reflecting on the state of war in 2025 and the obstacles to achieving just peace.
Related Initiatives
Carnegie Ethics Accelerator
The Carnegie Ethics Accelerator is a new kind of incubator designed to empower ethics in the face of swiftly evolving challenges in technology and public policies.
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Carnegie Ethics Fellows
The Carnegie Ethics Fellows program (CEF) seeks to cultivate the next generation of ethical global leaders across business, policy, technology, NGOs, and academia.
Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources
SEP 3, 2003 • Podcast
Teaching Environmental Values
How do you incorporate the environment into a curriculum on ethics and international affairs?
NOV 1, 2002 • Article
"To Be Read" Book Review Column: Paul Woodruff, "Reverence"
Woodruff doesn't lament the absence of reverence in our life; he asks us to discover it where it already is. We could not live ...
JUL 1, 2002 • Article
"To Be Read" Book Review Column: Charles Taylor, "Sources of Self", Ruth Abbey, "Charles Taylor"
"Abbey's book is an excellent introduction for those who have not read Taylor and a fine retrospective for those who have been following his thought ...
JUN 1, 2002 • Article
Perceptions of the Legitimacy of Women's Human Rights in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
"While the government has adopted women's rights as an important component of the transformation of South Africa, this does not seem to be a common ...
MAY 10, 2002 • Transcript
Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution
"We need to steer technology towards aims that are clearly therapeutic and away from ones that involve essentially human redesign, trying to improve our human ...
APR 21, 2002 • Article
Globalization and the Emergence of Cosmopolitan Memories
Debates over political expressions of regret, apology, reparations, and historical injustice have become increasingly important around the world. Do we share a common framework and ...
JAN 7, 2002 • Transcript
Ethics and Military Force: The Jus in Bello
Professor Schmitt of the German-American Marshall Center discusses the intersection of law and ethics in the use of military force. He explores some important "stressors" ...
JAN 7, 2002 • Podcast
Ethics and Military Force: The Jus in Bello
Professor Schmitt of the German-American Marshall Center discusses the intersection of law and ethics in the use of military force. He explores some important "stressors" ...
DEC 17, 2001 • Transcript
The "War" on Terrorism: What Rules Apply? (New York Forum #1)
The attacks of September 11 have been described, variously, as "crimes," "acts of war," or "genocide." Does characterizing the attacks in these different ways change the ...
DEC 17, 2001 • Podcast
The "War" on Terrorism: What Rules Apply? (New York Forum #1)
The attacks of September 11 have been described, variously, as "crimes," "acts of war," or "genocide." Does characterizing the attacks in these different ways change the ...