Question

Can you define Kant's categorical imperative?

Answer 1

The concept of Categorical Imperative was introduced by Immanuel Kant in the year 1785 in his book “Groundwork of the metaphysics of the morals”. According to Kant, a categorical imperative denotes an absolute, unconditional requirement that must be obeyed in all circumstances and is justified as an end in itself. The categorical imperative is supposed to provide a way for us to evaluate moral actions and to make moral judgement. It is not a command to perform specific action. Rather Categorical Imperative is simply a formal procedure by which any action which are morally relevant can be evaluated.Accordig to Kant since by nature the moral law is universal and Impartial and rational, the categorical is a way of formulating a criteria by which any action can pass the test of universality, impartiality, and rationality. That is its only function.

The Categorical Imperative is the central concept in Kant’s ethics. It refers to the “supreme principle of morality”, from which all our moral duties are derived. The basic principle of morality is an imperative because it commands certain courses of action. It is a categorical imperative because it commands unconditionally, quite independently of the particular ends and desires of the moral agent.