The principle that moral rules must be capable of being applied universally to all people in similar situations. A key test in Kantian ethics for determining the validity of moral principles.
From Latin 'universalis' (relating to all) plus the suffix '-ability.' The concept was systematized by Kant as a criterion for moral judgment in the 18th century.
This is like the ultimate fairness test—if you wouldn't want your action to become a universal rule that everyone follows, then it's probably wrong. It's why 'because I'm special' is never a good moral argument.
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