Okuzeka
Philosophy vocabulary · Key Thinkers' Concepts

Categorical imperative

Meaning in philosophy, with examples

nounCommon term

In philosophy, categorical imperative means: Kant's supreme principle of morality: a command that binds every rational being unconditionally, whatever their desires or goals.

In Turkish: kategorik buyruk, koşulsuz buyruk

How it is used

Contrasted with hypothetical imperatives (if you want X, do Y). Its best-known versions are the formula of universal law (act only on maxims you could will as universal laws) and the formula of humanity (never treat people merely as means). Set out in Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785).

Example sentences

  1. According to the categorical imperative, making a false promise to get a loan is wrong because the maxim cannot be universalized.

  2. Students often confuse the categorical imperative with the Golden Rule.

Common collocations

  • formula of universal law
  • formula of humanity
  • hypothetical imperative
  • apply the categorical imperative
  • deontologyA family of ethical theories holding that some actions are right or wrong in themselves, because of duties or rules, whatever their consequences.
  • ethicsThe branch of philosophy that studies right and wrong, good and bad, and how we ought to live and treat one another.
  • reasonThe human ability to think logically, draw conclusions and judge what is true or right; also a consideration that counts in favor of a belief or an action.
  • normativeConcerned with how things ought to be, or with what is good, right or reasonable, rather than with describing how things actually are.

More terms: Key Thinkers' Concepts

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: