Analyzing Ethical Imperatives

Kant's Moral Imperative can be analyzed from four different perspectives, which, for the sake of the discussion, can be called 'theoretical', 'psychological', 'physical', and 'consequential'. The theoretical analysis investigates the structural relations entailed in the Principle, e. g. the relation between maxims and universal laws. The psychological explores its motivational power, e. g. how it elicits Freedom. The physical details the process of the Principle being acted upon, e. g. constraining selfish impulses, treating others with respect. And, the consequential analysis considers the effects of acting upon it, the most significant of which to Kant is the raising of the question 'What can I know hope for?', but which to a Utilitarian is the happiness it brings. Nietzsche's 'Act only is such a way that you can will its eternal recurrence' is similarly subject to four types of analysis. First, it presents a theory of Time. Second, it is an expression to Nietzsche of the challenge of Schopenhauerian Pessimism. Third, as Thus Spake Zarathustra dramatizes, unforeseen difficulties can emerge, especially, for Nietzsche, that of coming to grips with the entailed eternalization of human mediocrity. Finally, the consequences of this successful struggle include his subsequent development of Will to Power to facilitate his attempts to undermine Christian Morality. Now, while the theoretical components of both these Imperatives are understandably intriguing to adventurous Philosophers, Kant's primary concern is the psychological dimension, because it alone is the locus of Freedom. In contrast, what is most important about Eternal Recurrence to Nietzsche, is the actual transformation that adoption of the Imperative effects, for the account of which he devises a style that is unique in even his unorthodox oeuvre, namely, the mythologizing of Thus Spake Zarathustra. So, as fruitful as they might be, the theoretical analyses of these Ethical Imperatives are inadequate to their central psychological or physical dimensions.