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categorical imperative

cat·e·gor·i·cal im·per·a·tive
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kat-i-gawr-i-kuh l, -gor- im-per-uh-tiv]
    • /ˌkæt ɪˈgɔr ɪ kəl, -ˈgɒr- ɪmˈpɛr ə tɪv/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kat-i-gawr-i-kuh l, -gor- im-per-uh-tiv]
    • /ˌkæt ɪˈgɔr ɪ kəl, -ˈgɒr- ɪmˈpɛr ə tɪv/

Definitions of categorical imperative words

  • noun categorical imperative (in the ethics of Kant) the unconditional moral principle that one's behaviour should accord with universalizable maxims which respect persons as ends in themselves; the obligation to do one's duty for its own sake and not in pursuit of further ends 3
  • noun categorical imperative the Kantian doctrine that one's behavior should be governed by principles which one would have govern the behavior of all people 3
  • noun categorical imperative Ethics. the rule of Immanuel Kant that one must do only what one can will that all others should do under similar circumstances. 1
  • noun categorical imperative the unconditional command of conscience. 1
  • noun categorical imperative (ethics) A fundamental ethical principle intended as a guide for determining whether any contemplated action is morally right, developed by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). 0
See all 5 definitions of categorical imperative

Information block about the term

Origin of categorical imperative

First appearance:

before 1820
One of the 38% newest English words
First recorded in 1820-30

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Categorical imperative

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Categorical imperative

categorical imperative popularity

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 1% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

categorical imperative usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for categorical imperative

noun categorical imperative

  • golden rule — a rule of ethical conduct, usually phrased “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or, as in the Sermon on the Mount, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so unto them.” Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31.
  • utilitarianism — the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility, and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons.
All 2 Synonyms of categorical imperative

See also

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