Evidence for the Innateness of Deontic Reasoning Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Abstract:When reasoning about deontic rules (what one may, should, or should not do in a given set of circumstances), reasoners adopt a violation‐detection strategy, a strategy they do not adopt when reasoning about indicative rules (descriptions of purported state of affairs). I argue that this indicative‐deontic distinction constitutes a primitive in the cognitive architecture. To support this claim, I show that this distinction emerges early in development, is observed regardless of the cultural background of the reasoner, and can be selectively disrupted at the neurological level. I also argue that this distinction emerged as a result of selective pressure favouring the evolution of reasoning strategies that determine survival within dominance hierarchies.

publication date

  • June 1, 1996

Date in CU Experts

  • July 8, 2025 9:04 AM

Full Author List

  • CUMMINS DD

author count

  • 1

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0268-1064

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1468-0017

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 160

end page

  • 190

volume

  • 11

issue

  • 2