Supererogation : definitions, features and characteristics
type: CreativeWork
description: The object of this thesis is to determine if and how it makes sense to exceed one's duty or to perform acts above or beyond what one is required to do as matters of duty. In philosophical terms therefore, this thesis will study the definitions, features and characteristics of supererogation. In the president's address to the 1984 meeting of the Canadian Philosophical Association, Kai Nielsen reviewed the main trends of post-war philosophical inquiry from Wittgenstein onwards and concluded that philosophical studies were justifiable; (a) if they were "tolerably clear," (b) if there were good grounds for believing them, and (c) if true, whether they are important, "particularly for giving us a grip on who we are, were and who we are to become" (Nielsen, 1985, p.lO). The issue addressed in this thesis is whether the concept of supererogation, as it is used in contemporary philosophical discussion is a valid one, and whether it has any importance for our life in the world as moral agents. Part One of this thesis puts forward a "tolerably clear" account of what is meant by supererogation by explaining how philosophers have traditionally dealt with the issue and how it has been debated and researched in recent years. The variety of reasons advanced by philosophers who advocate its relevance, utility and significance to ethical theory will be examined and the importance of the distinction between perfect and imperfect duties to the question of supererogation will be studied. It will be shown that supererogation is compatible with neo-Aristotelianism, modern Christian theology and contemporary contract theory. Part Two analyses arguments for the case against supererogation as held by Kant and most utilitarians. In Part Three the impact of supererogation upon the classification of moral actions is reviewed. In addition, it is shown how supererogation can be correctly positioned in political contexts. Part Three concludes with a reassessment of definitional issues identified …
abstract: The object of this thesis is to determine if and how it makes sense to exceed one's duty or to perform acts above or beyond what one is required to do as matters of duty. In philosophical terms therefore, this thesis will study the definitions, features and characteristics of supererogation. In the president's address to the 1984 meeting of the Canadian Philosophical Association, Kai Nielsen reviewed the main trends of post-war philosophical inquiry from Wittgenstein onwards and concluded that philosophical studies were justifiable; (a) if they were "tolerably clear," (b) if there were good grounds for believing them, and (c) if true, whether they are important, "particularly for giving us a grip on who we are, were and who we are to become" (Nielsen, 1985, p.lO). The issue addressed in this thesis is whether the concept of supererogation, as it is used in contemporary philosophical discussion is a valid one, and whether it has any importance for our life in the world as moral agents. Part One of this thesis puts forward a "tolerably clear" account of what is meant by supererogation by explaining how philosophers have traditionally dealt with the issue and how it has been debated and researched in recent years. The variety of reasons advanced by philosophers who advocate its relevance, utility and significance to ethical theory will be examined and the importance of the distinction between perfect and imperfect duties to the question of supererogation will be studied. It will be shown that supererogation is compatible with neo-Aristotelianism, modern Christian theology and contemporary contract theory. Part Two analyses arguments for the case against supererogation as held by Kant and most utilitarians. In Part Three the impact of supererogation upon the classification of moral actions is reviewed. In addition, it is shown how supererogation can be correctly positioned in political contexts. Part Three concludes with a reassessment of definitional issues identified …
author: Scott, Jon J.
language: en_AU
date published: 1989
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:07:22Z
provider: Australian Catholic University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Australian Catholic University

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/1885/11238