Question

By including the idea of utility maximization in his statement of the basic utilitarian principle, Sterba makes this principle easily compatible with supererogation.

Group of answer choices

True

False

Answer 1

The idea of utility maximization in utilitarianism generally conflicts with the concept of supererogation because utilitarianism requires all actions that increase happiness to be obligatory, leaving no room for acts that are above and beyond moral duty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that by including the idea of utility maximization in his statement of the basic utilitarian principle, Sterba makes this principle easily compatible with supererogation is False. Supererogation refers to actions that go above and beyond what is morally required. Utilitarianism, as framed by utility maximization, generally does not allow for supererogatory acts because if an act increases the overall happiness, it is considered morally obligatory, not supererogatory. Supererogatory acts presuppose that there is a level of moral action that is good but not required, whereas utilitarianism espouses that the moral action is always the one that yields the greatest utility for the greatest number.