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.

The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.

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.