Author Reply: Why goal-directed cycles still explain most phenomena called emotions

This reply engages with five commentaries on my target article advancing the goal‑directed theory (GDT). Stussi et al. expand the discussion by emphasizing epistemic goals, whereas Scarantino, Bonard, Pacherie, and Prinz resist my eliminativist conclusion to varying degrees by raising objections in the form of counterexamples (e.g., decisional paralysis, emotional recalcitrance, responding with vs. without emotional heath) and other puzzles (e.g., identity-based irrational emotions). By clarifying several misunderstandings about the GDT (e.g., about the revisability, automaticity, and complexity of goal-directed processes), I show how the theory can accommodate these objections, thereby further strengthening its viability.

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Publication Details

Journal
Emotion Review
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/17540739261422564
Primary Topic
Emotions and Moral Behavior
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Author Reply: Why goal-directed cycles still explain most phenomena called emotions

Agnes Moors
Emotion Review
Emotions and Moral Behavior
article

Author Reply: Why goal-directed cycles still explain most phenomena called emotions

Agnes Moors
article en

Abstract

This reply engages with five commentaries on my target article advancing the goal‑directed theory (GDT). Stussi et al. expand the discussion by emphasizing epistemic goals, whereas Scarantino, Bonard, Pacherie, and Prinz resist my eliminativist conclusion to varying degrees by raising objections in the form of counterexamples (e.g., decisional paralysis, emotional recalcitrance, responding with vs. without emotional heath) and other puzzles (e.g., identity-based irrational emotions). By clarifying several misunderstandings about the GDT (e.g., about the revisability, automaticity, and complexity of goal-directed processes), I show how the theory can accommodate these objections, thereby further strengthening its viability.

Emotion Review
KU Leuven (BE)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 18%
Emotions and Moral Behavior
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