The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics

Drawing on current research, this book demonstrates that there are rational reasons for why certain actions should reasonably not be considered duties despite their moral value. Would you do something unpleasant or dangerous you are not obliged to, simply because it would benefit others? “I won't do this because I don't have to”. This argument of supererogation can be used to reject overly demanding moral expectations. Yet, the argument is not always equally convincing. For instance, refusing to donate a kidney is morally accepted. Refusing a favor to a friend, however, seems indecent. Perhaps supererogatory acts do not exist at all? This book offers a refined framework for understanding the boundaries of moral duty. It is of interest to students and scholars of moral philosophy, applied ethics and meta ethics.

 

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The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics

Drawing on current research, this book demonstrates that there are rational reasons for why certain actions should reasonably not be considered duties despite their moral value. Would you do something unpleasant or dangerous you are not obliged to, simply because it would benefit others? “I won't do this because I don't have to”. This argument of supererogation can be used to reject overly demanding moral expectations. Yet, the argument is not always equally convincing. For instance, refusing to donate a kidney is morally accepted. Refusing a favor to a friend, however, seems indecent. Perhaps supererogatory acts do not exist at all? This book offers a refined framework for understanding the boundaries of moral duty. It is of interest to students and scholars of moral philosophy, applied ethics and meta ethics.

 

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The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics

The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics

by Marie-Luise Raters
The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics
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The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics

The Argument of Supererogation and the Limits of Duty in Applied Ethics

by Marie-Luise Raters

Overview

Drawing on current research, this book demonstrates that there are rational reasons for why certain actions should reasonably not be considered duties despite their moral value. Would you do something unpleasant or dangerous you are not obliged to, simply because it would benefit others? “I won't do this because I don't have to”. This argument of supererogation can be used to reject overly demanding moral expectations. Yet, the argument is not always equally convincing. For instance, refusing to donate a kidney is morally accepted. Refusing a favor to a friend, however, seems indecent. Perhaps supererogatory acts do not exist at all? This book offers a refined framework for understanding the boundaries of moral duty. It is of interest to students and scholars of moral philosophy, applied ethics and meta ethics.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9783662719169
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date: 10/24/2025
Series: Religion and Philosophy
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 316
File size: 1 MB

About the Author

Marie-Luise Raters is an adjunct professor of ethics, ethics education, aesthetics, and philosophy of religion at the Institute for Life Orientation – Ethics – Religious Studies (LER) and at the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Potsdam.

Table of Contents

Preface.- Part I: Open Questions. An Introduction.- 1. Overview.- 2. The Delimitation Function of the Argument of Supererogation.- Part II: The Paradox of Supererogation in Supererogation Research (P1). A History of the Concept.- 3. Historical Review.- 4. Deontology and Categories.- 5. Utilitarianism and Cost-Benefit Analysis.- 6. Virtue Ethics and Talents.- 7. Rationalism and Reasons.- Part III: Two Types of Supererogations (P2-P5). A Theory of Supererogation.- 8. Moral Value (P2).- 9. Ultraerogations, Decencyerogations, and Pseudoerogations (P3).- 10. The Voluntariness of Supererogations (P4).- 11. The Omission of Supererogations (P5).- 12. Solutions and Outlooks.

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