Kinds of Goal-Directed Processes and Kinds of Values
Abstract
Agnes Moors’ claim that the processes underlying emotional behavior and those driving non-emotional instrumental behavior are predominantly goal-directed leads her to the eliminativist conclusion that there is no solid mechanistic distinction between emotional and non-emotional episodes—and, thus, that emotions do not qualify as scientifically fruitful concepts. Here, I introduce a distinction between two types of goal-directed processes and discuss the sense of value that I consider relevant to emotional goals. On that basis, I reexamine whether the path to eliminativism is actually unescapable.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Emotions and Moral Behavior
Philosophy and History of Science
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Emotion Review
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 89–91
- Publication date
- 6 February 2026
- Language
- EN