SupererogationCambridge University Press, 1982 - 191 pages Actions that go 'beyond the call of duty' are a common though not commonplace part of everyday life - in heroism, self-sacrifice, mercy, volunteering, or simply in small deeds of generosity and consideration. Almost universally they enjoy a high and often unique esteem and significance, and are regarded as, somehow, peculiarly good. Yet it is not easy to explain how - for if duty exhausts the moral life there is no scope to praise supererogatory acts, and if the consequentialist is right there are no grounds for awarding them a special status. However, despite the distinctiveness of supererogation and the difficulty of accounting for it, philosophers have paid surprisingly little attention to the concept, and until now no thorough and systematic treatment of it has been proposed. This is what David Heyd offers in this book. His study will stimulate philosophers to recognise the importance of this rather neglected topic, and to take a fresh critical look at their theories in the light of its singular importance. |
Table des matières
Outlines of a theory of supererogation | 6 |
Theological origins in Christianity | 15 |
the GrecoRoman view | 35 |
Kant on supererogation | 49 |
Beyond duty in contract theories | 95 |
the contract | 105 |
Some paradigm cases | 142 |
The limits of moral duty | 165 |
184 | |
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Expressions et termes fréquents
according achieve action agent allows analysis anti-supererogationist applies Aquinas argument basic behaviour believe beneficence benevolence charity claim classical commandments concept concerned condition consequences counsels criticism defined definition deontic deserve discussion distinction ethical example explains fact favour forgiveness freedom giving gratitude grounds hand happiness heroic human idea ideal imperfect duty implies important individual interpretation involved justice justify Kant Kant's kind latter less limits logic means merit meritorious Metaphysic moral duty moral value nature necessary negative obligation obligatory omission one's optional pardon perfect perform permissible person positive possible praise principles problem promotion punishment question Rawls reasons refers regard relation respect rules seems sense social society status suggested supererogation supererogationist supererogatory action supererogatory acts theory tion treated typically usually utilitarianism utility virtue virtuous wrong