Categorical imperative
Categorical imperative
Real World
If you consider lying on your CV to get a job, the categorical imperative asks: could 'always lie to gain advantage' be a universal law? If everyone lied on CVs, employers would trust no applications, making the lie self-defeating — so Kant would say it is morally impermissible.
Exam Focus
Always state both the maxim being tested and explain why universalising it leads to a logical contradiction.
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