The dilemma between action and intent has been addressed by the positions of
deontologism and consequentialism, respectively. Kant (1949), Guyer (1992) and
Darwall (2003) believed that there was a supreme principle of morality, which he called
the categorical imperative which determines our moral duties. In his terminology, an
imperative is a command, and comes in two types. Usually we are pushed to action by
“hypothetical imperatives”, which command conditionally on a relevant goal, and tell
us what we must do in order to get or do something we happen to desire. For example:
if you want to become a lawyer then qualify in law; if you are thirsty, then go for water!
Hypothetical imperatives compel action in a given circumstances, tell us which means
best achieve our ends. If we do not care about the goal which is expressed by the
condition, then we can ignore the command.