The categorical imperative
Example: Kant's categorical imperative demands that we act according to universal laws.
Definition
The categorical imperative is a fundamental principle in philosophy, introduced by Immanuel Kant, that commands actions to be universally applicable and morally necessary, regardless of personal desires or consequences. It demands that we act only according to maxims that could be universally accepted.
Etymology
The term "categorical imperative" originates from Kant's philosophical writings in the late 18th century. 'Categorical' refers to an unconditional, absolute command, while 'imperative' means a command or obligation. Did you know? Kant contrasted this with hypothetical imperatives, which depend on personal goals, making the categorical imperative unique in its universality.
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"The categorical imperative" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Philosophy - (C1) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used words.
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