Full Idea
Moral judgements are hypothetical imperatives in the sense that they give reasons for acting only in conjunction with interests and desires.
Gist of Idea
Moral judgements are hypothetical, because they depend on interests and desires
Source
Philippa Foot (Reply to Professor Frankena [1975], p.177)
Book Reference
Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.177
A Reaction
This is a splendid claim, which points to a more sensibly naturalistic ethics. There seem to be occasions for moral behaviour where I have no interests or desires, such as when a stranger asks me for a favour and I'm feeling tired.
Related Idea
Idea 22389 Morality no more consists of categorical imperatives than etiquette does [Foot]