Ergo Reader
The Categorical Imperative
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Second Section · 1 min

The Categorical Imperative

From Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant

Before you read

Kant now states his best-known test of a moral principle. Before acting, ask whether the maxim behind the action could be willed as a universal law for everyone. The second formulation here sharpens the idea by asking us to imagine the maxim as a law of nature.

Framing by Ergo. The passage below is unchanged from the attributed translation.

The Categorical Imperative

There is therefore but one categorical imperative, namely, this: Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

Now if all imperatives of duty can be deduced from this one imperative as from their principle, then, although it should remain undecided what is called duty is not merely a vain notion, yet at least we shall be able to show what we understand by it and what this notion means.

Since the universality of the law according to which effects are produced constitutes what is properly called nature in the most general sense (as to form), that is the existence of things so far as it is determined by general laws, the imperative of duty may be expressed thus: Act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a universal law of nature.