hypothetical imperative
A formula that tells one how to act in order to achieve a specific goal, without…A formula that tells one how to act in order to achieve a specific goal, without reflecting on the value of the goal itself. Such an imperative is conditional, i.e., it would only motivate one who already shares the end goal in question.
Meaning
1 sensesA formula that tells one how to act in order to achieve a specific goal, without reflecting on the value of the goal itself. Such an imperative is conditional, i.e., it would only motivate one who already shares the end goal in question.
- a principle stating the action required to attain a desired goal
Origin
From German hypothetischer Imperativ, used by Immanuel Kant.From German hypothetischer Imperativ, used by Immanuel Kant.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: hypothetical imperatives| Singular | hypothetical imperative |
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| Plural | hypothetical imperatives |
regular
Word family
1 related wordsSee also
neighbours in the dictionaryDictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.