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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1:  a [[moral]] [[obligation]] or [[command]] that is unconditionally and universally binding  

*1:  a [[moral]] [[obligation]] or [[command]] that is unconditionally and universally binding  

==Description==

==Description==

The '''categorical imperative''' (German: Kategorischer Imperativ) is the central philosophical concept in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deontological deontological] moral philosophy of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]. Introduced in Kant's 1785 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwork_for_the_Metaphysics_of_Morals Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals]'', it may be defined as a way of [[evaluating]] [[motivations]] for [[action]].

The '''categorical imperative''' (German: Kategorischer Imperativ) is the central philosophical concept in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deontological deontological] moral philosophy of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]. Introduced in Kant's 1785 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwork_for_the_Metaphysics_of_Morals Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals]'', it may be defined as a way of [[evaluating]] [[motivations]] for [[action]].

According to Kant, [[human being]]s occupy a special place in [[creation]], and [[morality]] can be summed up in one ultimate [[commandment]] of reason, or imperative, from which all [[duties]] and [[obligations]] derive. He defined an imperative as any [[proposition]] declaring a certain action (or inaction) to be [[necessary]].

According to Kant, [[human being]]s occupy a special place in [[creation]], and [[morality]] can be summed up in one ultimate [[commandment]] of reason, or imperative, from which all [[duties]] and [[obligations]] derive. He defined an imperative as any [[proposition]] declaring a certain action (or inaction) to be [[necessary]].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_imperative Hypothetical imperatives] apply to someone dependent on them having certain ends to the [[meaning]]:

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_imperative Hypothetical imperatives] apply to someone dependent on them having certain ends to the [[meaning]]:

*if I wish to quench my thirst, I must drink something;

*if I wish to quench my thirst, I must drink something;

<blockqoute>Act only according to that [[maxim]] whereby you can, at the [[same time]], will that it should become a [[universal]] [[law]].</blockqoute>

<blockqoute>Act only according to that [[maxim]] whereby you can, at the [[same time]], will that it should become a [[universal]] [[law]].</blockqoute>

Kant expressed [[extreme]] dissatisfaction with the popular moral philosophy of his day, believing that it could never surpass the level of [[hypothetical]] imperatives: a utilitarian says that [[murder]] is wrong because it does not maximize [[good]] for those involved, but this is irrelevant to people who are concerned only with maximizing the positive outcome for themselves. Consequently, Kant argued, hypothetical moral systems cannot persuade moral [[action]] or be regarded as bases for moral [[judgments]] against others, because the imperatives on which they are based rely too heavily on [[subjective]] considerations. He presented a deontological moral system, based on the demands of the categorical imperative, as an alternative. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative]

Kant expressed [[extreme]] dissatisfaction with the popular moral philosophy of his day, believing that it could never surpass the level of [[hypothetical]] imperatives: a utilitarian says that [[murder]] is wrong because it does not maximize [[good]] for those involved, but this is irrelevant to people who are concerned only with maximizing the positive outcome for themselves. Consequently, Kant argued, hypothetical moral systems cannot persuade moral [[action]] or be regarded as bases for moral [[judgments]] against others, because the imperatives on which they are based rely too heavily on [[subjective]] considerations. He presented a deontological moral system, based on the demands of the categorical imperative, as an alternative. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]