Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hypothetical imperative

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.33 in modern English

Syllables: hy-po-thet-i-cal im-per-a-tive
IPA

42

Scrabble Score

22

Letters

8

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A formula that tells one how to act in order to achieve a specific goal, without reflecting on the value of the goal itself. Such an imperative is conditional, i.e., it would only motivate one who already shares the end goal in question.

Etymology

From German hypothetischer Imperativ, used by Immanuel Kant.

Origin

Source language: German

Word Breakdown

Root: hypothetischer Imperativ

Inflected Forms

hypothetical imperatives (plural)

Phrases

instrumental rationality

Frequently Paired Words

instrumental rationality categorical imperative

Questions

What does hypothetical imperative mean?: A formula that tells one how to act in order to achieve a specific goal, without reflecting on the value of the goal itself. Such an imperative is conditional, i.e., it would only motivate one who already shares the end goal in question.
Where does hypothetical imperative come from?: It is traced to German.

How to pronounce hypothetical imperative

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