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
MAY 10, 2022 • Podcast
Making Decisions When Values Conflict or Are Prioritized Differently, with Paul Root Wolpe
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 ...
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
JAN 31, 2014 • Article
2nd Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013
"Why can't economics and social justice have similar creeds? In my future, I hope I can see a world in which they can. The society ...
JAN 31, 2014 • Article
2nd Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013
"It may be yet another morning in Fairfax, Virginia, but there is yet another massacre happening in Egypt. In Syria. In Somalia. The world is, ...
JAN 31, 2014 • Article
1st Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013
In a world where journalists are crucial in shining a light on immoral actions by both local and national governments, countries such as Turkey and ...
JAN 31, 2014 • Article
1st Prize High School Category, "Moral Leadership" Essay Contest, 2013
"Moral leadership is the transcendence of political realities by a person of conscience in the pursuit of a grand ideal. I define moral leadership as ...
JAN 31, 2014 • Article
The Moral Operating System of a Global City: Los Angeles
For global cities to solve the central problem of collaboration among strangers, they need a moral operating system: shared codes and behaviors that enable people ...
JAN 8, 2014 • Article
Secrets and Allies: UK and U.S. Government Reaction to the Snowden Leaks
Is Edward Snowden a whistleblower, a traitor, or a mixture of both? How should he and the media that published his leaks be treated? Journalist ...
DEC 19, 2013 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: The Future of War, with Andrew Exum
Andrew Exum is a scholar, author, and former U.S. Army officer. In this revealing talk, he describes, in vivid detail, his days leading platoons ...
DEC 19, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Dirty Wars"
"Dirty Wars" chronicles the undeclared shadow wars fought across the globe in the name of American national security--as well as the highly secretive agencies who ...
DEC 16, 2013 • Article
Jeffrey Sachs: Idealist or Extreme Pragmatist?
Nina Munk's book about economist Jeffrey Sachs portrays his defense of the global poor as an act of faithful idealism. She could not have it ...
DEC 10, 2013 • Article
Ill Fares the Invisible Hand
According to census data from 2012, there are 46.5 million Americans currently living in poverty. That is more than one in seven Americans, or roughly 15 percent of ...