Single Idea 3552

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 6. Motivation for Duty]

Full Idea

Supererogatory actions are admirable and valuable, and we praise people for doing them, but they do not generate obligations to perform them, which casts doubt on obligation as the basic notion in ethics.

Gist of Idea

If excessively good actions are admirable but not required, then duty isn't basic

Source

Julia Annas (The Morality of Happiness [1993], 2.6)

Book Reference

Annas,Julia: 'The Morality of Happiness' [OUP 1995], p.115