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
OCT 31, 2006 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Equitable Legalization: Give Consumers Legal Protection against Amoral Trade
Kim Beng Phar describes the difficult and often impossible legal paths that citizens and consumers face when trying to sue for human rights violations in ...
SEP 18, 2006 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Ethical Debate Simmers over GM Food
As with all of humanity’s efforts to tinker with nature, GM food has its share of benefits and risks—as well as vocal dissidents ...
MAR 14, 2006 • Podcast
Interview with Dr. Barnett Rubin
"It's very difficult to be optimistic," says Dr. Rubin, one of the world's foremost experts on Afghanistan. "Still, five years ago we could never have ...
FEB 28, 2006 • Podcast
Arguing About War (2006)
For the first time since his classic "Just and Unjust Wars" was published in 1977, Professor Michael Walzer has again collected his most provocative arguments about ...
JAN 16, 2006 • Article
Background Papers on Ethics and Debt
Herman's "The Players and the Game of Sovereign Debt" describes arrangements that guide the interactions of actors involved in this issue. Barry's "Ethical Issues Relevant ...
SEP 19, 2005 • Podcast
Global Responsibilities: How Can Multinational Corporations Deliver on Human Rights?
Who has the responsibility to alleviate poverty and uphold human rights in a globalized world where corporations often wield more power than nation-states?
APR 19, 2005 • Podcast
Return to Greatness: How America Lost Its Sense of Purpose and What It Needs to Do to Recover It
In a candid discussion of American politics and ideals, Alan Wolfe looks to the future and how the U.S. can keep liberty and equality ...
MAR 8, 2005 • Transcript
America and the World: Ethical Dimensions to Power
Taking Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms"—freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom of worship, and freedom of expression—as a departure point, Joel Rosenthal and Michael ...