Because reflexes permit faster responses without having to bypass several synapses the higher reasoning or conscious thought is not necessary or desirable features of reflexes. The importance of reflexes is to cause something to happen. speed of prime importance, not information. You don't care how hot the stove is that in your hand is on, you just want to get that hand off the stove as fast as possible. Our reflexes enable us to survive. Adding an intervening layer of thought is to get us into trouble.