🏛️Learn Kant's Categorical Imperative
Turn Kant's densest idea into a tool you actually use. By the end, you'll write a maxim for a real decision, run it through the universalizability test, and journal what it reveals.
Phase 1Meet Kant and the Moral Question Behind the Test
Meet Kant's question and the one-line imperative
Morality without consequences — can that even work?
6 minMorality without consequences — can that even work?
The whole test, in one sentence
6 minThe whole test, in one sentence
Your maxim is not what you say — it's what you'd say under oath
7 minYour maxim is not what you say — it's what you'd say under oath
Two ways a maxim can fail — and they don't feel the same
7 minTwo ways a maxim can fail — and they don't feel the same
Phase 2Running Maxims Through the Universalizability Test
Run everyday maxims through the universalizability test
Why Kant's lying case is sharper than you remember
7 minWhy Kant's lying case is sharper than you remember
False promises: Kant's cleanest contradiction
7 minFalse promises: Kant's cleanest contradiction
Borrowing money you can't repay: the real-world false promise
7 minBorrowing money you can't repay: the real-world false promise
Kant says you have duties to yourself — here's the clean version
7 minKant says you have duties to yourself — here's the clean version
When the test feels wrong, suspect the maxim first
8 minWhen the test feels wrong, suspect the maxim first
Phase 3Kant Versus Utilitarianism in Real Dilemmas
Compare Kantian duty against utilitarian outcomes in dilemmas
You're standing at a trolley switch — whose ethics do you trust?
7 minYou're standing at a trolley switch — whose ethics do you trust?
Break a small promise to prevent a small harm — both answers have teeth
7 minBreak a small promise to prevent a small harm — both answers have teeth
The painful truth: when honesty serves no one, who's right?
8 minThe painful truth: when honesty serves no one, who's right?
Duty-based and outcome-based ethics aren't rivals — they're lenses
8 minDuty-based and outcome-based ethics aren't rivals — they're lenses
Phase 4Write Your Maxim, Run the Test, Journal the Result
Write and test a maxim for your real decision
Your maxim, your decision, your journal entry
8 minYour maxim, your decision, your journal entry
Frequently asked questions
- What does Kant mean by a 'maxim' in the categorical imperative?
- This is covered in the “Learn Kant's Categorical Imperative” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do I actually apply the universalizability test to a real choice?
- This is covered in the “Learn Kant's Categorical Imperative” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What's the difference between the categorical and hypothetical imperative?
- This is covered in the “Learn Kant's Categorical Imperative” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How does Kantian ethics differ from utilitarianism?
- This is covered in the “Learn Kant's Categorical Imperative” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Does Kant's test really say lying is always wrong, even to save a life?
- This is covered in the “Learn Kant's Categorical Imperative” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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