The word “ought” is often used nonmorally. For example: “If I want to get on time, I ought to leave early.” Much of our conduct is governed by such “ought” The pattern is this: If I want X, then I ought to do Y. Whether I ought to do Y is totally contingent or dependent on my wanting X. Kant called these “hypothetical imperatives” because they tell us what to do provided that we have the relevant desires
Moral obligation do not depend on having particular desires. Moral requirements are categorical. By “categorical,” Kant means unconditional or necessary. If there is something I morally ought to do, I ought to do it no matter what: whether or not I want to, and whether or not it fulfills my desires and goals or is approved by my society. Categorical “oughts” are possible because we have reason. Categorical oughts are derived from a principle that every rational person must accept: categorical imperatives