Ethics in International Affairs: An Introduction

Preface

Ethics matter. Many institutions take up ethical issues. But few have the vantage point of Carnegie Council—a place where leaders from around the world come to share ideas, reflect on their experiences, and engage in public conversation. This short introduction explains the point of view underlying the Council’s activities.

It is rooted in realism with the idea that power and ethics are inseparable and are best considered together. Two additional operating principles are evident in the work. The first is humility—no single person, institution, or school of thought has a monopoly on truth. The second, closely related, is pluralism—respect for differences while recognizing what is common in the human experience.

This work is conducted in the spirit of mutual learning. For the Council and its constituents, ethics is a practical thing. There is something intellectually satisfying about reflecting on the good life. But ethical inquiry can be more than that. It can help in specific ways to imagine a better future, and it can inform and improve consequential decision-making.

Lastly, ethics in a globally interconnected world requires open dialogue—across cultures, borders, and professions. This book is offered as a small step in this direction.