Kant describes the categorical imperative as "expressed by an ought and thereby indicate the relation of an objective law of reason to a will that is not necessarily determined by this law because of its subjective constitution." In other words, a categorical impetrative is a command of morality that applies everywhere at all times no matter what, without exception. Kant describes two forms of imperatives, hypothetical and categorical.
Kant defines the hypothetical imperative as "an action is good for some purpose, either possible or actual." The hypothetical imperative that Kant describes is a situation that prescribes an action as a means to get a particular end. In this imperative, inclination is allowed to play a role in your motives. It states action is good for some purpose, either possible or actual. Rational human beings may use appropriate means and ends that are based needs or wants. It is these actions that Kant considers to be hypothetical imperatives.
Next, when Kant defines the categorical imperative he states that, "the action is represented as good in itself, and hence as necessary in a will which of itself conforms to reason as the principle of the will." He is generally saying that a categorical imperative is an ends that is a means only to itself and not to some other need, desire, or purpose. The categorical imperative may be based on an "end in itself." Duties can be classified under categorical imperatives.
Kant provides three versions of categorical imperatives. The first version is Universal Law. This means that one should "act only on that maxim of action that at the same time you can will to be universal law". This means whatever no matter what action you do, you should ask yourself "w ...