Abstract

This paper intends to posit some critical stances towards A. Rosas viewpoint, that it is possible to trace an evolutionary path linking adaptative functional characters with moral judgments emanated from our practical reason, judgments that would be unknowingly at the service of our biology. Adjustment to this theses, as well as T. Nagel’s contributions to the debate, make me think that the self-referential character of our reason, that is, our capacity for self-consciousness, can liberate reason from being conceived as genetic programmed, inasmuch as it can make possible the progressive acquisition of our own biological conditionings, thus “transgressing” such “evolutionary mandates.” Some cognitive capacities are explored, such as the inhibitory mechanism of impulsive conducts, which can be at the basement of our self-reflexive and moral faculties.