Question

Is there such a thing as a supererogatory act—or are all right actions simply our duty? What would an act-utilitarian say about supererogatory acts?

Answer 1

Supererogatory act refers to doing more than required. That act is not necessary but may be beneficial or may be neutral. It is simply going beyond duty .

Supererogatory acts differ from duty in the sense that if a duty is not performed , it is considered to be wrong while if supererogatory acts are not performed , it does not leads to any wrong .

Various philosophy and school have different opinion about supererogatory acts. Act utilitarianism does not consider supererogatory a separate act but only a duty. As it relies on greater good for greater no of people , doing more than asked will be good for more and hence will only be a duty.