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
AUG 15, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Repairing the Shattered Sky
A new film looks at American leadership during the ozone crisis and compares it to the situation with global warming today. The clock is ticking ...
AUG 10, 2012 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Is Censorship Ever Justified?
From jailing bloggers in Ethiopia to legislating religion-neutral clothing in France, censorship takes many forms. Is censorship ever warranted, even if it's used to promote ...
AUG 10, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Can Bioregionalism Go Global Before Collapse?
Bioregionalism proposes an alternative future in which overconsumption is drastically reduced, the natural environment is preserved, and proactive measures are taken to provide basic needs.
AUG 3, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Building Bioregional Politics for an Ecological Civilization
The developed countries need to learn to live more sustainably within the confines of the local resources available to them rather than exploiting the resources ...
JUL 30, 2012 • Article
The Phone Hacking Scandal: Global Implications
The UK hacking scandal was a major breach of law and ethics. Yet too extreme a backlash runs the risk of throwing the baby out ...
JUL 18, 2012 • Podcast
Garrett Cullity on Climate Change
Since there is very little any given individual can do to address climate change, there is a problem drawing a line from collective responsibility to ...
JUN 26, 2012 • Article
Dealing with "Enablers" in Mass Atrocities: A New Human Rights Concept Takes Shape
Because mass atrocities are organized crimes, crippling the means to organize and sustain them--money, communications networks, and other resources--can disrupt their execution, writes George Lopez.
JUN 25, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Asmita: Identity amid Crisis
Two young entrepreneurs launched a venture combining ethical finance and scientific crop management to boost yields and profitability for the suicide-prone farmers of India.
JUN 15, 2012 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: The Ethics of Cyber Warfare
An influential Russian engineer recently called for an international ban on cyber weapons, saying that they could have unforeseen consequences, but many American analysts disagree. ...
JUN 8, 2012 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: The Ethics of "Citizens United": Does Corporate Cash Threaten Democracy?
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recently won his recall election and many are saying this is due, in part, to the "Citizens United" decision, which gave ...