Initially we have instinctive reactions, fight or flee for example, to environmental stimuli. Scientific data has shown that emotions cut in much faster than thoughts, causing physiological changes before the associated thoughts register in the brain. We feel before we think. Without ethical values we may as well behave as animals. But to avoid this we must control our instinctual responses - and these are based on emotions.
Emotions are our decision makers.
Not so, suppose we act wrongly, and regret it. By doing this we lay down new mental patterns, new models of desired behaviour. No, 'emotions' seem to be located in the limbic system of the brain, but this is strongly coupled to the prefrontal lobes in the cerebrum, the 'thinking' area of the brain. It seems that our thoughts can control our emotions and vice-versa. So my third premise is that rational 'ethical' thought lays down emotional controls that affect our actions in the future.