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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for

Categorical Imperative

An expression used by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) to describe the fundamental law of the practical reason and the highest universal principle of morality. The principle is this : " So act that the maxim of your Will (or the subjective principle of your willing) can always stand at the same time as the principle of a universal law." As compared with the Categorical Imperative, the Hypothetical Imperative denotes mere rules of convenience for particular cases and definite circumstances. " To speak the truth is a Categorical Imperative. To take due exercise every day is a hypothetical imperative whose necessity depends on the hypothesis that I wish to keep well " (Butler). See C. J. Deter, 1906; Arthur Butler.

citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney

article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12

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