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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The Idea of Justice

OCT 8, 2009 Podcast

The Idea of Justice

The traditional theory of social justice is out of touch with practical realities, says Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. Instead he proposes a theory of comparative ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talkradionews/3657347055/">Talk Radio News Service</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 7, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The Rise of Climate Protectionism

A new and dangerous form of trade and technology protectionism is fast emerging in the name of climate change, and it is poisoning North-South relations ...

Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/noborder/2560885744">No Border Network</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 7, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Informal Economy Pulls Migrants to Europe

Politicians are unwilling to admit that the informal economy provides low-paying work for paperless migrants in Southern Europe, and that border control is impotent without ...

OCT 2, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Whose Art Is It?

Should cultural treasures, acquired under dubious circumstances, be returned to their places of origin?

OCT 1, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Six Models for Brand-CSR Integration

Integrating CSR and brand development can be daunting without a road map. This analysis identifies six models that companies can readily replicate in their own ...

SEP 30, 2009 Podcast

Reform of the International Monetary and Financial System

The spread of the financial crisis from a few developed countries to the entire global economy provides tangible evidence that the international trade and financial ...

SEP 22, 2009 Podcast

Losing the News: The Future of the News That Feeds Democracy

"Internet culture values speed over accuracy, edge over fairness and balance, and above all, entertainment value above importance and significance. We can be overfed but ...

Cover image, Global Corruption Report 2009

SEP 21, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Under the Cover: Global Corruption Report 2009

Policy Innovations interviews Robin Hodess of Transparency International on her organization's brand new Global Corruption Report 2009, which this year focuses on corruption and the private ...

SEP 18, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Climate Protectionism and Competitiveness

The global circulation of goods is a major source of both prosperity and carbon emissions. This short audio on ethics asks: Can trade be regulated ...

SEP 16, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Who Pays for Global Warming?

This short clip on ethics asks: Who pays to stop global warming? How to allocate emissions allowances? If people are entitled to an equal share ...