Universalizability, Principle of

The principle of universalizability is a form of a moral test that invites us to imagine a world in which any proposed action is also adopted by everyone else. Most notably, it is the foundational principle for deontological, or duty-based, ethics. For example, if we are tempted to lie, then we have to think what the world would be like if everyone lied, or in a similar vein, if we consider donating to charity, what would it be like if everyone made the same choice. The principle acts like a litmus test by indicating whether acts are morally acceptable or not. Universalizing some actions will lead to a self-contradiction, indicating that they are morally unacceptable. For example, if everyone lied, the notion of truth telling ...