Categorical Imperative

Introduction
Kant's Categorical Imperative is a rule determining what is the right thing to do. Roughly, he says that the right thing to do is to act in a way that you could logically and consistently will all other people to do too (Universalisability). A successful application will result in a perfect duty and formulation of the Categorical Imperative.

Maxims
A maxim is a potential moral rule, if this is impossible to consistently apply in all cases, it cannot be rationally universalised. If a maxim cannot be universalised, it is as the result of either a contradiction in conception, or a contradiction in will.

Contradiction in Conception
Because we cannot conceive of a world where this was a law - it is inconceivable.

Contradiction in Will
We can concieve of such a world, but cannot rationally will such a world.

Wider Reading

 * Kant
 * Deontology
 * Maxim
 * Ethics

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