The main objective of the presentation is to contextualize the project "Spiral Effects of Socioeconomic Factors on Child Development: A Neuroethical Study," elucidating its theoretical foundations and the empirical research being conducted by my team within Portuguese society, specifically in the educational field.

Drawing on the works of philosophers such as J. Rawls, A. Sen, and M. Nussbaum, as well as M. Farah's neuroscientific research, the study conceptualizes socioeconomic factors — poverty in particular — as a multidimensional phenomenon that profoundly influences integral human development by shaping personal capabilities and life opportunities. Innovative both in Portugal and internationally, the project examines the hypothesis that socioeconomic conditions can spirally impact children's intellectual and moral development. Researchers are testing the hypothesis through a comparative study of primary school groups in the Lisbon region. The research employs a neuroethical framework, integrating insights from neurosciences, philosophy, and ethics to deepen our understanding of child development from cognitive and moral perspectives. Furthermore, the project seeks to inform justice-oriented policies that enhance capacities, particularly among the most disadvantaged, to foster their integral development.