What is Kant's categorical imperative?

Answered in Immanuel Kant's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

The categorical imperative is the supreme principle of my moral philosophy. It is an unconditional command that applies universally, meaning it must be obeyed regardless of one's desires or goals. It demands that we act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. Essentially, one should act in such a way that the principle behind their action could be applied to everyone without contradiction. It grounds morality in reason, not in inclination or consequence.

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