Overview

Supererogation refers to acts that are morally good but not (strictly) required. They go “above and beyond the call of duty.”

Core Idea

The core idea is that there is a difference between “duty” (what you must do) and “heroism” (what is awesome to do). Not everything good is mandatory.

Formal Definition

An act is supererogatory if:

  1. It is morally good.
  2. It is not morally obligatory.
  3. Omission of it is not morally wrong.

Intuition

  • The Soldier: A soldier who jumps on a grenade is a hero. If he didn’t jump, we wouldn’t put him in jail or call him “evil.” He did more than was required.
  • Charity: Giving 10% of your income might be a duty. Giving 90% and living in a tent is supererogatory.

Examples

  • Saints and Heroes: People who dedicate their entire lives to the poor (Mother Teresa) or risk their lives for others.
  • Forgiveness: Sometimes forgiving a terrible wrong is seen as supererogatory (you have a right to be angry, but you choose to forgive).

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: Utilitarianism allows supererogation.
    • Correction: Standard Utilitarianism says you must always maximize the good. If giving 90% does the most good, it is your duty, not supererogation. This makes the theory very demanding (it eliminates the category of “above and beyond”).
  • Misconception: It’s just “extra credit.”
    • Correction: It is vital for the flourishing of society, providing inspiration and extreme good.
  • Duty: The baseline of morality.
  • Praiseworthiness: We praise supererogatory acts more than duty (you don’t get a medal for not killing people).
  • The Demandingness Objection: The criticism that theories (like Utilitarianism) that deny supererogation ask too much of humans.

Applications

  • Law: The law enforces duties (don’t steal), not supererogation (be generous).
  • Religion: Catholicism distinguishes between “precepts” (for everyone) and “counsels of perfection” (for those seeking holiness).

Criticism and Limitations

  • Where is the line? It is hard to define exactly where duty ends and heroism begins. (Is saving a drowning child heroic or a duty?).

Further Reading

  • Saints and Heroes by J.O. Urmson
  • Supererogation by David Heyd