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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

184319

On the cognitive (neuro)science of moral cognition

utilitarianism, deontology, and the "fragmentation of value"

Alejandro Rosas

pp. 199-215

Abstract

Scientific explanations of human higher capacities, traditionally denied to other animals, attract the attention of philosophers and other workers in the humanities. They are often viewed with suspicion and skepticism. Against this background, I critically examine the dual-process theory of moral judgment proposed by Greene and collaborators and the normative consequences drawn from that theory. I believe normative consequences are warranted, in principle, but I propose an alternative dual-process model of moral cognition that leads to a different normative consequence, which I dub "the fragmentation of value" (Nagel. Mortal questions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1979). This alternative model abandons the neat overlap between the deontological/utilitarian and the intuitive/reflective divides. Instead, we have both utilitarian and deontological intuitions as equally fundamental and partially in tension. Cognitive control is sometimes engaged during a conflict between intuitions. When it is engaged, the result of control is not always utilitarian; sometimes it is deontological. I describe in some detail how this version is consistent with evidence reported by many studies and what could be done to find more evidence to support it.

Publication details

Published in:

Ibáñez Agustín, Sedeño Lucas, García Adolfo M (2017) Neuroscience and social science: the missing link. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 199-215

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-68421-5_9

Full citation:

Rosas Alejandro (2017) „On the cognitive (neuro)science of moral cognition: utilitarianism, deontology, and the "fragmentation of value"“, In: A. Ibáñez, L. Sedeño & A.M. García (eds.), Neuroscience and social science, Dordrecht, Springer, 199–215.