In: Psychology
What is supererogation? Why can utilitarianism not make room for supererogation? Do you think this is a problem for utilitarianism? Explain why or why not.
Supererogatory is a process where a person goes beyond his moral duties to perform an act of kindness. This is related to some vedic action. For example, a person like bill gates do a charity and gives 70% of his invoneigor poor and marginalised. There was no duty on part ifobill gates but he did it and it acted as a good for maximum no of people.
However , utilitarianism suggests that all acts that produces good for maximum is obligatory for person. So as per utilitarianism , bill gates is doing nothing but his duty. However if one think on pracical term , an obligation is different from what ought to be. If one does not oblige then he must be punished. If bill gates does not do charity , will he be punished ? Absolutely Not.
Hence , it is a orobkempfor utilitarianism.
There ia need to modify classical utilitarianism and incorporate a difference between ought do a task and oblige to to do a task.