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

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...

Man must be disciplined, for he is by nature raw and wild

Man must be disciplined, for he is by nature raw and wild

But although all our knowledge begins with experience, it does not follow that it arises...

But although all our knowledge begins with experience, it does not follow that it arises...

Immaturity is the incapacity to use one's intelligence without the guidance of another.

Immaturity is the incapacity to use one's intelligence without the guidance of another.

Morality is not really the doctrine of how to make ourselves happy but of how...

Morality is not really the doctrine of how to make ourselves happy but of how...

Ours is an age of criticism, to which everything must be subjected. The sacredness of...

Ours is an age of criticism, to which everything must be subjected. The sacredness of...

The death of dogma is the birth of morality.

The death of dogma is the birth of morality.

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...

All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with...

All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with...

By a lie a man throws away and, as it were, annihilates his dignity as...

By a lie a man throws away and, as it were, annihilates his dignity as...

All thought must, directly or indirectly, by way of certain characters, relate ultimately to intuitions,...

All thought must, directly or indirectly, by way of certain characters, relate ultimately to intuitions,...

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe - the...

Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe - the...

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...

It is beyond a doubt that all our knowledge that begins with experience.

It is beyond a doubt that all our knowledge that begins with experience.

The question is not so much whether there is life on Mars as whether it...

The question is not so much whether there is life on Mars as whether it...

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

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

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.

Always recognize that human individuals are ends, and do not use them as means to...

Always recognize that human individuals are ends, and do not use them as means to...