Trends Neurosci. 2018 Sep;41(9):573-576. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.05.008. Epub 2018 Jun 28. Author information 1 Smurfit Institute of Genetics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: kevin.mitchell@tcd.ie. Abstract A reductively mechanistic approach to neuroscience suggests that low-level physical laws determine our actions and that mental states are epiphenomena. In this scheme there seems to be little room for free will or genuine agency.