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CONDITIONAL MORALITY

A system of morality based on Immanuel Kant's principle of the hypothetical imperative, namely: "If you desire this or that, you must (should or ought to) do such and such." In these cases, the obligation enjoined depends on a person's having the desire in question. From a Catholic perspective, there is an obligation prior to the hypothesis, i.e., making sure that a given desire is itself conformed to the divine law.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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