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 1, 2011 • Podcast
The U.S. Credit Rating Downgrade: What Does it Mean?
Is the U.S. no longer the center of the economic universe? Credit expert Ann Rutledge discusses the recent credit rating downgrade of the U....
AUG 31, 2011 • Article
The Ethics of the Nuclear Security Summit Process
This paper examines the ethical questions around two intertwined 21st century issues: nuclear terrorism and the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process. Does the process take ...
AUG 26, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Libya After Qaddafi: Redefining our Responsibilities
As Libya prepares for its future, do NATO member states have a moral responsibility to protect peace and stability? Or should Libya's future be of ...
AUG 19, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: In America, Does Pluralist Democracy Still Work?
Has pluralism in America emphasized private interest over public good? Does the market for ideas need more supervision, or should the market rule?
JUL 29, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Norway: When Belief Justifies Murder
The power of belief is terrifying. Do you believe anything strongly enough to take a life without the sanction of authorities? Can any belief justify ...
JUL 26, 2011 • Podcast
The (Ethical) Taste of Success
Ashok Vasudevan has what it takes to build commercially viable and socially responsible global companies. Tasty Bite, an all-natural, ready-to-eat food sold in the U....
JUL 22, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Privacy, Ethics, and "News of the World"
Outrage over "News of the World's" use of phone hacking raises the question: when is hacking acceptable? Phone surveillance is a common tool for national ...
JUL 5, 2011 • Podcast
Steve Forbes on Civility in Corporate America
Economic uncertainty is a source of incivility, declares Forbes. He touches on education, politics, history, free markets, and the establishment of a new gold standard ...
JUN 24, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Justice
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" an innocent man is wrongfully sentenced. The author argues that all we can do in the face of injustice is ...
JUN 24, 2011 • Podcast
Henry Kaufman on Civility in the Financial Sector
What is the underlying source of the current financial turmoil? It is not lack of technological knowledge about how to structure and to trade securities. ...