Q&A: The Categorical Imperative
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
The Categorical Imperative
Question
After Kant reaches the conclusion that we can speak only about phenomena, and not about the world as it is in itself, how does he then arrive at the categorical imperative, an argument that obligates everyone in reality? In what sense is the imperative binding if it does not deal with reality in itself? Thank you very much.
Answer
The imperative deals neither with phenomena nor with noumena. It is a normative principle and does not deal with reality. Kant himself goes on at great length distinguishing between those two.