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Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Voting for Ethics: A Guide for U.S. Voters

“Voting for Ethics” is a non-partisan, how-to guide for U.S. voters. It will help you identify the hallmarks of an ethical candidate and make a more informed decision -- whether for your local school board or a national election.

Purchase "Voting for Ethics"/Access Voting Ethics Resources

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Two-Thirds of Americans Surveyed are Concerned With AI’s Impact on the Human Race

Eighty-three Percent Believe AI Should be Government Regulated

A new report, Ethics in the Age of AI,  outlines how Americans feel about artificial intelligence (AI) from an ethical standpoint. The Markkula Center and its Institute for Technology, Ethics, and Culture (ITEC) surveyed 3,000 Americans aged 18+ and found that they have concerns about the technology’s impact on the human race.

Access Report Findings

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Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: An Operational Roadmap

By José Roger Flahaux, Brian Patrick Green, and Ann Skeet

"Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: An Operational Roadmap,” or, more briefly, the “ITEC Handbook,” offers organizations a strategic plan to enhance ethical management practices, empowering them to navigate the complex landscape of disruptive technologies such as AI, machine learning, encryption, tracking, and others while upholding strong ethical standards.

Download the ITEC Handbook

All About Ethics: Perspectives From Across the Center
A portrait of German philosopher Hannah Arendt in the courtyard of her birthplace in Linden-Mitte, Germany. (Wikimedia Commons/Hannes Grobe)

Hannah Arendt's work makes clear the dangerous shortcomings of the approach favored by the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference in their quadrennial document on elections, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship."

A map of the U.S. highlighted in red and blue. Photo by Clay Banks/Unsplash.

The Kamala Harris-Donald Trump presidential debate missed the voices of America's biggest category of 'swing voters'--low-income and poor people.

A phone with several AI apps installed. Photo by Solen Feyissa/Pexels.

The headlines this election cycle have been dominated by unprecedented events, it’s no wonder other important political developments have been drowned out, including the steady drip of artificial intelligence-enhanced attempts to influence voters.

Featured Ethics Spotlights
Two groups of protesters carrying Palestinian and Israeli flags facing off during an outdoor protest. Photo by Ted Eytan 2017.03.26 Anti-Israel Protest, Washington, DC. Used with permission under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0.

The attacks in Israel on October 7th 2023, have reignited tensions, including intense combat in the Middle East and protests around the world. Ethics Center staff and scholars unpack some of the many related ethical dilemmas in this Ethics Spotlight.

Generative Artificial Intelligence including text, computer generated images.

Throughout history, new technologies have disrupted society in different ways–some positively and some negatively–from steam-powered engines and electricity, to the Internet, and now again with artificial intelligence (AI); generative AI in particular in this instance. The creation of art, journalism, education, and the very truth itself have all been tested by the use of ChatGPT and other generative AIs. Markkula Center staff and scholars unpack some of the many related ethical dilemmas in this Ethics Spotlight.

The U.S. Flag and Constitution, semi-automatic guns, a shooter with AR-15, and a human hand held in the air to block or stop the action.

The gun debate has again reached a fever pitch in the shadow of several horrific mass shootings. Ethics Center staff and faculty interrogate the moral and ethical issues associated with gun use and regulation.

An Industry Leader in Ethics Consultation

For more than 35 years, the Ethics Center has helped individuals and organizations make better decisions and includes offering fee-for-service options for organizations that want a customized approach to building training programs, case studies, and other materials.

Center News
Jim Welsh Advisory Board Member, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Technology executive and development and strategy expert, Jim Welsh, expands his role with the Ethics Center becoming the newest member to join the Center's advisory board.

Mark Stanich, Advisory Board Member, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Mark Stanich, Media and Hospitality industry executive, adds advisory board member to his involvement with the Ethics Center.

Tara Seracka, Advisory Board Member, Markkula Center for Applied E

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics welcomes Cisco Senior Vice President, Legal & Deputy General Counsel, Tara Seracka, to the advisory board.

Georganne Perkins, Ethics Center Advisory Board

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics welcomes former Senior Advisor at Fisher Lynch Capital and investment management veteran Georganne Perkins to their advisory board.

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ESG Resource Center

Ethics Helps Companies Operationalize ESG Reporting

Companies are under extreme pressure from customers, investors, and the government to begin accounting for how they are performing in these non-financial matters, and this new set of resources will help them more efficiently operationalize ESG reporting.

Explore the Ethics and ESG Resource Center

Teaching Note: Interview of Theranos Whistleblower, Tyler Shultz

This teaching module for business ethics, leadership and management courses includes two videos, homework assignments, and class discussion, all designed to spark conversation about ethical issues associated with whistleblowers and corporate governance.

View the Teaching Module

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Evaluating Culture for Ethics

Our Culture Self-Assessment Practice recommends approaches to evaluating culture for ethics within companies and other types of organizations. The materials are primarily for members of an organization’s leadership team, including human resources and legal, but designed to engage a cross-section of leaders from various disciplines.

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Media Commentary
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Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics, quoted by Politico.

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Tracy Barba, director of Venture and Equity Ethics, quoted by Fortune.

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John Pelissero, director, government ethics, quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle.

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Subbu Vincent, director, journalism and media ethics, quoted by the Associated Press.

Like Birds, Ethical Issues Are Everywhere...

...often difficult to spot, but noticed by those in search of them.

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University exists to help people see, understand, and work through ethical problems.

As an introduction to thinking ethically, we have created a framework for ethical decision making.

Learn About Our Framework

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