Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M9045

Categorical Imperative

Categorical Imperative
CultureHigh supportEthics
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Kant's core moral principle: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Moral judgment does not depend on consequences, but on whether the maxim of the action can be universalized.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Use the universalization test for actions. Ask yourself, "If everyone did this, what would the world be like? Would I be willing?"

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Moral judgment does not depend on specific consequences, but on whether the maxim underlying the action can be universalized without contradiction. Only universalizable maxims have moral legitimacy; otherwise, they are self-contradictory—for example, "everyone breaks promises" would collapse the institution of promising.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperativeZH · Explicit
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