I’m a big nature over nurture kinda guy; or really a big biology over soul kinda guy, since I have to include epigenetics and stuff like that. I think our environmental interactions such as sufficient eye-contact, physical touch, and safety from trauma as a child work to determine our serotonin levels. Likewise, our life experience works determine our serotonin levels. At any rate, I think serotonin, acting primarily through the raphe nucleus, can inhibit activity in the fear center (periaqueductal gray). For the most part, I think this is what allows for the appearance of “bravery.”

A person can have stronger executive functions, such as when the prefrontal cortex acts to activate the raphe nucleus directly with an excitatory neurotransmitter. But even executive functions are correlated with IQ and other largely inborn traits. In a word, whether or not we have self-control isn’t determined by us, so even if we can demonstrate courage “despite ourselves” it isn’t really despite ourselves or our choice at bottom. And if we naturally don’t experience the fear because of genetics or environmental (epigenetic) factors, then it’s also not courage. So I don’t think courage really exists, but I think our debate comes down functionally to one of what mind is. If you believe mind is soul and is without a binding mechanistic underpinning, then it’s hard to believe something like courage is out of our control. If, like me, you think it’s all chemicals and electricity, it’s easier to see it as having nothing to do with individual decisions.

I really appreciate your taking the time to leave your thoughts on the matter and for reading my writing to begin with. All the best!