What is categorical ethics

Categorical ethics, also known as deontological ethics, is a moral theory that emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, rather than the consequences they produce. It is based on the idea that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes, and that individuals have a duty or obligation to follow certain principles or rules.

The most famous exponent of categorical ethics is the philosopher Immanuel Kant, who argued that moral duties are absolute, universal, and binding on all rational beings. According to Kant, the moral worth of an action depends on the intention behind it, and not on its consequences. He formulated the famous principle of the categorical imperative, which states that we should act only according to the maxim that we could will to become a universal law. In other words, we should treat others as ends in themselves, and not as means to our own ends.

Categorical ethics is often contrasted with consequentialist ethics, which judges the rightness or wrongness of actions by their outcomes or consequences. While consequentialists focus on the ends or goals of actions, categorical ethicists focus on the means or methods used to achieve them.