Perception, Rationality, Emotions, Free Will
George Ellis
Oxford University Press eBooks May 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/9780198950189.003.0007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness is enabled by the physical brain and that emotions, far from diverting from logical thinking, are crucial guides to it. Contends that innate emotional systems function via neuromodulators such as dopamine and serotonin, that predictive processing shapes perception, and that abstract entities like chess rules and algorithms can have causal powers. Maintains that arguments against free will are not correct, partly because they contradict each other, and that values and meaning shape mental outcomes, making moral action possible. |
Abstract
Abstract Our extraordinary gift of consciousness, the central feature of our existence, is enabled by the properties and activities of the physical brain: an immensely complex neural network comprised of neurons joined by synapses. Consciousness is real—we experience the passage of time and qualia such as feeling pain and seeing colours. The brain enables thinking and mental causation: action choices that change physical outcomes. Emotions are not an unnecessary diversion from the logical thinking necessary for our survival: they are crucial guides to that logical thinking. We have a set of innate emotional systems that are our evolutionary heritage because they increase our survival chances, functioning via neuromodulators such as dopamine and serotonin. There is a complex interaction between the immune system and the nervous system, underlying the causal powers of placebos: pills with no active ingredients. The choices we make are influenced by narratives and social interactions, but above all are shaped by our values and understandings of meaning. Our senses (seeing, hearing) function via predictive processing—expectations shape what we actually see and hear. The symbolic powers of the brain enable abstract causation to take place: the rules of chess and computer algorithms are abstract entities with causal powers. A variety of arguments purport to show that free will cannot exist, but there are many reasons to believe this is not correct. Inter alia, this is because these arguments contradict each other. Values, purpose and meaning shape mental outcomes, so moral action is possible.