Deeds that are not ‘required’ but which go ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty, as, for example, acts of exceptional goodness and heroism. The category is interesting, in that many ethical theories fail to recognize it: e.g. for a direct utilitarian, either an action maximizes happiness, in which case it ought to be done, or it does not, in which case it ought not to be done. Protestant theology also rejected the category, since in Catholic theology the moral surplus arising from acts of sainthood was the property of the Church, and hence could be bought and sold.