ALL meanings of categorical imperative
cat·e·gor·i·cal im·per·a·tive
C c - 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