A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.

Quote by Immanuel Kant

Topics: Immanuel Kant Quotes

By a lie, a man... annihilates his dignity as a man.

By a lie, a man... annihilates his dignity as a man.

He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We...

He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We...

Seek not the favor of the multitude; it is seldom got by honest and lawful...

Seek not the favor of the multitude; it is seldom got by honest and lawful...

No-one can compel me to be happy in accordance with his conception of the welfare...

No-one can compel me to be happy in accordance with his conception of the welfare...

Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we...

Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we...

May you live your life as if the maxim of your actions were to become...

May you live your life as if the maxim of your actions were to become...

Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but of imagination.

Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but of imagination.

So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the...

So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the...

Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

All the interests of my reason, speculative as well as practical, combine in the three...

All the interests of my reason, speculative as well as practical, combine in the three...

What are the aims which are at the same time duties? They are perfecting of...

What are the aims which are at the same time duties? They are perfecting of...

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

Fallacious and misleading arguments are most easily detected if set out in correct syllogistic form

Fallacious and misleading arguments are most easily detected if set out in correct syllogistic form

In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics...

In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics...

Even philosophers will praise war as ennobling mankind, forgetting the Greek who said: 'War is...

Even philosophers will praise war as ennobling mankind, forgetting the Greek who said: 'War is...

If man makes himself a worm he must not complain when he is trodden on.

If man makes himself a worm he must not complain when he is trodden on.

Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

I had therefore to remove knowledge, in order to make room for belief.

I had therefore to remove knowledge, in order to make room for belief.

From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be...

From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be...

He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We...

He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We...