Maxim (philosophy)
Encyclopedia
A maxim is a ground rule or subjective
principle of action; in that sense, a maxim is a thought that can motivate individuals.
maxims are understood as a subjective principle of action. An act is called moral if it has a certain universal
value. In Immanuel Kant
's categorical imperative
, for instance, the maxim is combined with a certain intention to become moral. The moral intent is that one can, at the same time, will the subjective principle of action to become a universal law.
Subjectivity
Subjectivity refers to the subject and his or her perspective, feelings, beliefs, and desires. In philosophy, the term is usually contrasted with objectivity.-Qualia:...
principle of action; in that sense, a maxim is a thought that can motivate individuals.
Deontological ethics
In deontological ethicsDeontological ethics
Deontological ethics or deontology is the normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. It is sometimes described as "duty" or "obligation" or "rule" -based ethics, because rules "bind you to your duty"...
maxims are understood as a subjective principle of action. An act is called moral if it has a certain universal
Universal (metaphysics)
In metaphysics, a universal is what particular things have in common, namely characteristics or qualities. In other words, universals are repeatable or recurrent entities that can be instantiated or exemplified by many particular things. For example, suppose there are two chairs in a room, each of...
value. In Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from Königsberg , researching, lecturing and writing on philosophy and anthropology at the end of the 18th Century Enlightenment....
's categorical imperative
Categorical imperative
The Categorical Imperative is the central philosophical concept in the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, as well as modern deontological ethics...
, for instance, the maxim is combined with a certain intention to become moral. The moral intent is that one can, at the same time, will the subjective principle of action to become a universal law.
- "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law."