Wartości w perspektywie epistemologii ewolucyjnej Konrada Lorenza

The article presents Konrad Zacharias Lorenz’s views concerning man’s axiological space. According to Lorenz the origin of the cognitive apparatus is defined by the need to maintain orientation in the world. The apparatus is determined (ambiguously) by the biological and cultural factors. Also tendencies to accept a given type of values are dependent on inborn instincts. The harmony of mutual coexistence of biological and cultural norms is a manifestation of a ‘healthy functioning of the world of values’. In recognizing values an important role is attributed to emotions. The specificity of the act of valuation results from its subjectivity outside a direct control of acts of consciousness.