What is the categorical imperative?
philsophical lingo that means you cannot do something
an ethical rule that says that your decisions should be good enough to serve as a basis for everyone's decisions
a motto that everyone should do good
A?
cat·e·go·ri·cal im·per·a·tive
[ˈˌkadəˈɡôrəkəl əmˈperədiv]
NOUN
philosophy
(in Kantian ethics) an unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclination or purpose.
The categorical imperative is a concept in philosophy, specifically in the moral theory formulated by Immanuel Kant. It is an ethical rule that suggests we should act based on principles that can be universally applied. Instead of focusing on the consequences of our actions, the categorical imperative emphasizes the reasoning behind our actions and whether they can be considered morally justifiable.
To determine whether an action is morally permissible according to the categorical imperative, Kant proposes formulating a maxim or principle that could be universally applied without contradiction. If a maxim passes this test, it is considered morally acceptable. On the other hand, if a maxim leads to a contradiction when universally applied, it is considered morally impermissible.
For example, if someone is considering lying in a particular situation, they would need to ask themselves whether lying could be a universal principle without contradiction. If lying were universally acceptable, then the concept of truth and trustworthiness would collapse, leading to a contradiction. Therefore, lying would be considered morally impermissible according to the categorical imperative.
So, in summary, the categorical imperative is an ethical rule that suggests we should act based on principles that can be universally applied without contradiction. Its aim is to establish a standard for moral reasoning that goes beyond personal desires or subjective preferences and focuses on the moral duty we have towards others.