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categorical imperative
noun
: a moral obligation or command that is unconditionally and universally binding
Examples of categorical imperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet if there are two things in the sphere of economic policy that the electorate is going to impose as categorical imperatives on its representatives, regardless of party, they are contained in the current expressions Full Employment and Social Security. . . .
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
But the categorical imperative of politics—governing—generally prevailed.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2023
But Be Here Now is a case study in the categorical imperative of rocking.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022
Kant introduced the world to the theory of the categorical imperative; Larry, the chat-and-cut.
—Meredith Blake, latimes.com, 29 Sep. 2017
Kant introduced the world to the theory of the categorical imperative
—Meredith Blake, latimes.com, 29 Sep. 2017
The Golden Rule, the categorical imperative — all of these moral notions will fall by the wayside.
—Ben Shapiro, National Review, 20 Sep. 2017
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Word History
First Known Use
1827, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of categorical imperative was
in 1827
Dictionary Entries Near categorical imperative
Cite this Entry
“Categorical imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/categorical%20imperative. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on categorical imperative
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about categorical imperative
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