In deontic logic, a binary operator $\text{O}\left(\psi /\phi \right)$ interpreted as an obligation that $\psi$ be true conditioned on the case that $\phi$ obtains. For example, while there is no general obligation to remain awake at midnight, the conditional obligation:

• • If one takes a position as a night watchperson, then one ought to remain awake at midnight.

seems true. There are different positions concerning whether conditional obligations ought to be treated as primitive or whether their analysis may be reduced to theses about obligations and conditionals.