The chapter discusses the challenges in understanding executive functions and their relationship to the frontal lobes. It highlights several methodological and conceptual issues, such as the inconsistent use of psychological and anatomical definitions, the lack of specific clinical conditions for studying frontal lobe functions, and the multi-factorial nature of executive tests. The authors argue that the most important role of the frontal lobes may be in affective responsiveness, social and personality development, and self-awareness. They emphasize the need for precise lesion localization in patients with focal frontal lobe lesions to better define the functions of the frontal lobes. The chapter also addresses the conceptual difficulties in defining executive functions, such as the distinction between complex and simple tasks and the unity or diversity of frontal lobe functions. The authors conclude by outlining their research approach, which focuses on patients with focal frontal lobe lesions to better understand the specific functions of these brain regions.The chapter discusses the challenges in understanding executive functions and their relationship to the frontal lobes. It highlights several methodological and conceptual issues, such as the inconsistent use of psychological and anatomical definitions, the lack of specific clinical conditions for studying frontal lobe functions, and the multi-factorial nature of executive tests. The authors argue that the most important role of the frontal lobes may be in affective responsiveness, social and personality development, and self-awareness. They emphasize the need for precise lesion localization in patients with focal frontal lobe lesions to better define the functions of the frontal lobes. The chapter also addresses the conceptual difficulties in defining executive functions, such as the distinction between complex and simple tasks and the unity or diversity of frontal lobe functions. The authors conclude by outlining their research approach, which focuses on patients with focal frontal lobe lesions to better understand the specific functions of these brain regions.