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"فقط مطابق آن اصلی عمل کن که بتوانی در عین حال بخواهی که قانون جهانی شود."

Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant Philosopher
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Quote meaning
The main idea here is about making choices that you’d be okay with everyone else making too. It's like a moral litmus test. If you decide something is right, would it still be right if everyone in the world did it? If the answer is no, then it's probably not the best choice.

This concept comes from the philosopher Immanuel Kant and his idea of the "categorical imperative." It's a fancy way of saying that your actions should be guided by principles that could apply universally, not just for you in a particular moment or situation.

Let's dive into a real-life example to make this clear. Imagine you find a wallet full of cash on the street. No one else is around. The easy thing to do might be to pocket the money—after all, who would know? But now think about this situation where everyone did the same. If everyone took what wasn’t theirs, trust in society would collapse. You wouldn’t want to live in a world where lost items never found their way back to their owners. So, according to this principle, the moral thing is to turn the wallet in, hoping the owner is located.

So how can you apply this wisdom day-to-day? Start by thinking about the bigger picture. Before making a decision, ask yourself: "If everyone did what I'm about to do, what would the world look like?" This simple question can guide you towards more ethical choices.

Picture this: you're running late for a meeting, and the only way to get there on time is by speeding. You tell yourself it’s just this once. But what if every driver thought the same? Roads would be chaotic, accidents would skyrocket, and everyone would be late anyway due to the ensuing traffic mess. This scenario shows why adhering to this principle makes sense.

You can also think about this in personal relationships. Suppose you’re tempted to tell a little white lie to avoid hurting a friend’s feelings. Sure, it seems harmless. But if everyone lied to avoid discomfort, trust would erode. Friends wouldn’t know when to believe each other, and relationships would suffer.

Here’s a story to bring it home. Imagine a small town where everyone decides to cheat just a little on their taxes. They think: “It’s just a few dollars. No big deal.” But when everyone does this, the town ends up with less money for schools, roads, and emergency services. Eventually, everyone suffers from the lack of community resources. On the flip side, if everyone paid their fair share, the town would thrive. So, even small actions matter.

In short, this principle isn't just about lofty morality. It's practical. It’s about creating a world we all want to live in—one where actions are fair and trust is strong. Next time you face a choice, big or small, take a moment. Imagine the world if everyone made the same choice. That’s the essence of Kant’s wisdom.
Related tags
Autonomy Deontology Duty Ethics Kantian Maxim Moral imperative Morality Philosophy Universal law
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