While it is certainly true that emotions influence or actions, preconceptions, perception and memory heavily - these things are also influenced or controlled by the regions of the brain that does the heavy thinking. Emotional responses come from the inner regions of the brain (like the amygdala), while higher cognitive functions largely happens in the prefrontal cortex. Both of these regions are active in a human being that takes conscious decisions.
Say you see a snake. The emotions will likely have made certain memories of snakes more readily available, and you might get an emotional response as a result. But you'll also consider the situation, use your knowledge and have cognitive processes steer your actions. For example, you might get scared, then realize the snake is not harmful and steer your actions as a result of that.
I would agree with a sentiment that said it is wrong to of us a mere "rational species". But it is also wrong that we're only emotional or aesthetical in our judgments. You might want to hurt someone because emotions make you angry, but most of us can also be rational about such things and realize that it is a bad idea and not do it.
Over time, your emotional responses may even change as a result of higher thinking and learning. It is also safe to say that people differ. Some individuals will certainly rely more on rational decision-making, others might more easily go with their initial emotional responses more often.
Basically, what I am saying is that this...
Quote:
They only adhere to that moral code because of emotions.
...is wrong.
And of course, we as a species are pretty much defined by both types of responses in our brains. Higher thinking decisions are great, but they are slow, require a ton of energy and a lot of focus. Emotional responses are quick, energy-efficient and need less focus. If we relied almost exclusively on higher thinking, we would be very bad at survival. If we only had emotional responses and very limited higher thinking, we obviously wouldn't be anything resembling humanity as we see it today.
Last edited by tame_deuces; 09-06-2018 at 06:23 AM.