Antonio Damasio's analysis suggests that moral actions depend on reasoning to some extent, but basic moral values often operate unconsciously and are influenced by instincts, brain systems, and learned behaviors. The formation of moral values involves significant social and psychological factors, including the roles of the superego and ego as described by Freud. Neuroscience indicates that humans have the capacity to consciously control their moral behavior, which can be cultivated from childhood.

1. Does Moral Action
Depend on Reasoning?
The answer is “Yes and No” (Antonio Damasio)
Analysis made by:
Diego Mora
Shareefa Abdul-Ali
Md Khan

2. Who is Antonio Damasio?
 Professor of neuroscience.
 Director of the Brain and Creativity
Institute at University of Southern
California.
 Author of “Descartes Error and Self
Comes to Mind” published in 2014.

3. Main argument quote and paraphrase
 “My answer is a strong ‘yes’
because the actions we can truly
call moral depends on the work of
reason at some stage in the
process leading to their execution”
 “My answer is also ‘no’ because
the moment-to-moment execution
of actions, moral or otherwise, is
not necessary under the control of
reason…”
(Antonio Damasio, A Templeton
Conversation, page 46 paragraph 1).
 Morality depends on reasoning
within a conscious level but not
when it comes to basic moral
values stacked in the back of your
mind.
 Most of us do not realize that the
values or morals that are pass
down to us from generation to
generation (grandparents to
parents) are learn behaviors that
we are not aware of until
questioned.

4. Main argument
Morality / Reason
No Yes
Basic moral values roots are:
1. Instincts.
2. Brain systems.
3. Neuromodulator molecules.
• Neuropeptide oxytocin.
4. Genes
Construction of moral values help
species to survive.
Rest of moral values are result of:
1. Forerunner institutions.
2. Beliefs.
3. Rejection to other institutions
and believes
4. Skill learned which becomes
second nature (taught in early
childhood)

5. Freud’s view of the unconscious.
(additional view)
 Conscious Moral decisions are part
of both superego and ego. The ego
governs your rational logical and
analytical mind. The superego is
and collection of moral lessons
(right and wrong) learn from
parents, society, religion.
 Preconscious Is the dawn of
conscious. “capable of becoming
conscious”—a phrase attributed by
Sigmund Freud to Joseph Breuer
 Unconscious The ID controls your
basic instincts and desires.
(hunger, sex, survival)

6. Construction of basic moral values with
instincts, brain systems and neuromodulators
Life-long monogamist and
bonding-care of the progeny
 Mating  oxytocin in affect-
related brain regions.
 This is associated with lifetime
monogamy male-female.
 Close bonding and care of progeny
from male.
 Alterations of this hormone turns
into behavioral changes.
Rodent (prairie voles)

7. Social homeostasis
 Humans compared to other species takes moral to new heights.
 Using creativity.
 Served by social standards.
 Social homeostasis is moral decisions and principles taken:
 Deliberate.
 High level of consciousness.
 Create social laws (moral) and the jurisprudence that follows from it.
 Neuroscience proves humans are capable of consciously controlling their
moral behavior.
 Morals can become a skill that will act as “second nature”.
 Process that begins in childhood.

8. Group questions remaining
 In your opinion, how would the
future of neuroscience impact
morality and reasoning?
 What are some of the unconscious
myths that affect ones morality
and reasoning?
 How much your background and
enviroverment affects your
morality decisions?

9. Definitions
 “De novo” – a new
 Antecedent: before or prior
 Mating: animals coming together
to breed.
 Neuromodulator: physiological
process that gives a neuron uses to
neurotransmitters to regulate
diverse populations of neurons.
 Oxytocin: hormone released after
mating.
 Progeny: descendant of people,
animal or plant.
 Jurisprudence: the science or
philosophy of law.
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