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 ...

Explore Our Applied Ethics Resources

FEB 13, 2010 Podcast

Do You Agree or Resign?

Can you hold to ethical standards and serve a government that makes mistakes? Does becoming a diplomat mean, "my country right or wrong"?

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/djringer/274454009">David Ringer</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 11, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Defining Environmental Migrants

As the world attempts to solve the growth in climate migrants and refugees, accurate and legally justifiable definitions will be a crucial first step.

FEB 5, 2010 Podcast

Do People Matter in U.S. Foreign Policy?

Is U.S. foreign policy determined by individual policy-makers and core values, or by external threats and domestic pressures?

FEB 3, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Immigration Administration Control in Japan

Japanese immigration policy seeks to balance the needs of migrants and refugees with the harmonious functioning of Japanese industry, society, and employment.

JAN 29, 2010 Podcast

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?

JAN 26, 2010 Podcast

A Question of Values: Google in China, Chinese Products, and Civil Society

Harney (author of "The China Price") and Stewart discuss the human and environmental costs of China's cheap prices; Google in China; fake and dangerous Chinese ...

JAN 26, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Linking Ethics and Self-Interest in Human Mobility

The ethical and self-interested choice in migration policy is to seek liberalized and rationalized migration that combines positive incentives with clear and fair entry criteria ...

JAN 25, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The Ethics of Undocumented Migration

Using fieldwork data through participant observation and interviews, this paper explains the causes of undocumented migration out of Fujian and explores the ethical frameworks within ...

JAN 22, 2010 Podcast

God and Obama

For President Obama, what is the relation between religion and politics?

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mafleen/466511076/">Mafleen</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JAN 22, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: The Right to Move

A collection of essays from our joint Sophia University-Carnegie Council conference exploring the ethics of an international right to migration.