Categorical Imperative
Before any decision, ask: 'Could I will this to be a universal law?' Immanuel Kant's rigorous ethical framework for acting with moral consistency.
Steps
Identify a decision or action you're about to take
Ask: 'What if everyone in the world did this?'
Consider whether the world would still function under that rule
If it leads to contradiction, the action fails the test
Choose the action that could become a universal law
Practitioners
Related Systemsin Purpose & Meaning
Virtue Cultivation
Practice building good character through daily habits of propriety, learning, and moral reflection. Confucius' lifelong path to becoming a person of integrity.
Moral Leadership
Lead by appealing to the highest moral ideals, not just practical interests. Martin Luther King Jr.'s framework for creating change through principled nonviolence.
Design Thinking Walk
Take long walks to think through design problems. Steve Jobs was famous for walking meetings and believed movement unlocked creative solutions.
Existential Writing
Write to explore the nature of freedom, choice, and responsibility. Simone de Beauvoir's practice of using the page as a space for philosophical self-discovery.