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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CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/9773429075/">United Nations Photo</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

OCT 28, 2013 Article

The UN's Unprecedented Gamble in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Laurie Mincieli: The Forward Intervention Brigade represents an unprecedented use of the Security Council's Chapter VII peacekeeping mandate, and risks undermining peacekeeping's core tenets of ...

CREDIT: Marvel Studios

OCT 21, 2013 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Iron Man 3"

So what can a blockbuster movie about a superhero tell us about current American attitudes towards U.S. foreign policy, PTSD, racial stereotypes, the War ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lt9vr2d/">UN Women/Marielos Mora</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>) <br>Costa Rican President Chinchilla & former UN Women Director Bachelet

OCT 21, 2013 Article

Chile's Opportunity to Eradicate Violence Against Women—and Set an Example for the Region

If Michelle Bachelet regains the Chilean presidency in the 2013 election, she has the opportunity to create a lasting legacy for women. What's needed is a ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ubuntunewsru/6217160759/">Ruslan Rugoals</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 21, 2013 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Lesser-known Species Fall Victim to the Illegal Wildlife Trade

Pangolins, slow lorises, freshwater turtles, and other lesser-known species all face extinction pressures if we fail to curb the illegal wildlife trade.

OCT 19, 2013 Podcast

Protecting Women Refusing to be Victims of Violence

"Our goal is to truly provide justice to incredibly courageous women and girls who have suffered things that make us uncomfortable. They have suffered things ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/razowsky/2630973447/">Flo Razowsky</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

OCT 10, 2013 Podcast

Anna Stilz on Occupancy Rights

Any attempts to tackle the problems of long-term refugees will have to address occupancy rights. Why do we have the right to live in a ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8510182328_61c6283152_b.jpg">Donna Burton</a>, (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

SEP 30, 2013 Podcast

Arash Abizadeh on Immigration

As the U.S. moves toward a major overhaul of its immigration system, many of those most significantly affected are being left out of the ...

SEP 27, 2013 Article

Ethical Challenges in Trans-Pacific Relations: Selected Essays, 2013 Contest

Carnegie Council presents the 12 best essays from our 2013 Trans-Pacific Contest, a pioneering exercise in student collaboration. These outstanding pieces touch on issues ranging from the ...

SEP 26, 2013 Podcast

Immigration Reform: Truths, Myths, and Politics

The great wave of illegal immigration to the United States is over, says Edward Schumacher-Matos. Our real challenge now is what to do with those 11–12 ...

CREDIT: <a href ="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-151731818/stock-vector-distressed-syria-chemical-weapon-graphic.html?src=WElREIA3ZW_TvZ7WoiPnmw-1-0">Syria chemical weapon graphic</a> via Shutterstock

SEP 25, 2013 Article

Syria and the Just Use of Force Short of War

The Obama administration has spoken of punishing the Assad regime, of deterring future attacks, of reinforcing the norm against chemical weapons use, and of diminishing ...