What does the categorical imperative, developed by Immanuel Kant, focus on?

The categorical imperative, as developed by Immanuel Kant, emphasizes the importance of universal principles and moral laws that apply to all rational beings. It posits that actions should be evaluated based not on their consequences but on whether they can be universally applied as a moral law. In essence, Kant's approach urges individuals to consider whether their actions could be consistently willed as a universal maxim, applicable to everyone in similar circumstances.

This perspective promotes a sense of duty and moral obligation that transcends individual interests or outcomes. Therefore, actions are judged by their alignment with these universal ethical principles rather than their specific results, which is what makes it distinct from consequentialist theories that focus solely on outcomes. This grounding in universal applicability underlines the rationale for ethical behavior that respects the inherent worth of all individuals, aligning with the correct answer's focus.