Example of the first formulation of the Categorical Imperative.

One example of the first formulation of the Categorical Imperative is the principle "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." This means that individuals should only act in ways that they would be comfortable with everyone else in similar situations acting in the same way. For example, if someone is considering lying to get out of a difficult situation, they should ask themselves if they would want everyone else to lie in similar situations, and if not, they should not lie themselves.

Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.