Neurological research has related vmPFC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) activity with many funct... more Neurological research has related vmPFC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) activity with many functions including schema, imagination, self, social interaction, culture, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, morality, economics, marketing, theory of mind, intuition, beauty, and religion. This research suffers from a fundamental flaw, because a method of research that suppresses subjective bias is being used to study the part of the brain that generates subjective bias, leading to research that is accurate but fragmented. The mental network, which is like an emotionally imposed schema, provides a unified explanation for these various functions. This thesis is supported by quoting extensively from research on the vmPFC and is illustrated by Edward Bernays' Propaganda (1928), which pioneered modern marketing methods. The interaction between objective research and subjective bias is examined by looking at the relationship between economics, mental networks, and vmPFC activity. Combining the mental network with the emotion of beauty leads to the concept of the theoretical mental network, which provides a unified explanation for scientific paradigms, ideologies, and a mental concept of God. The theoretical mental network is illustrated by The structure of scientific revolutions by Thomas Kuhn (1970).
This workbook is meant to be used as an introductory course to mental symmetry. It focuses upon t... more This workbook is meant to be used as an introductory course to mental symmetry. It focuses upon the hospital chaplain who is bringing spiritual help to someone in a medical crisis, but is also appropriate for any religiously orientated social worker who is interacting with the health system. This workbook recognizes the Christian perspective, while taking a cognitive approach and acknowledging that we now live in a post-Christian, multi-religious, and multicultural environment. We will define religion as the human attempt to deal with the deepest questions of human existence. These questions tend to be ignored during normal life because they are uncomfortable. However, a person in a medical crisis comes face-to-face with these deeper questions and is looking for answers. We will examine how each of the seven cognitive styles deals with such a crisis and we will suggest that the medical experience can provide a starting point for discussing possible answers in a manner that is both plausible and meaningful. We will also discuss how Romans 12 spiritual gifts are taught in Christian circles and examine how this relates to the deeper questions of life. (The updated version fixes several typos.)
This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry as a meta-theory to integrate a number of ... more This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry as a meta-theory to integrate a number of theories within second language acquisition (SLA), as well as provide a framework for neurological research in linguistics. Mental symmetry has been used to analyze several fields and systems, but it applies especially well to SLA. That is because learning a language means mentally acquiring a structure that is capable of describing all aspects of human thought and experience, and acquiring a new language has a similarly universal impact. Thus, SLA really needs an integrated theory of cognition. In most fields there is a large gap between the technical specialization of that field and a meta-theory. This gap is unusually small within the field of SLA, making it possible to present a meta-theory as an integrated theory of the specialization.
Big Five is a popular system of personality categories that began as a list of words describing p... more Big Five is a popular system of personality categories that began as a list of words describing personality traits gathered from the dictionary. Mental symmetry is a cognitive meta-theory that began as a system of cognitive styles which models the mind as seven interacting cognitive modules. This paper uses mental symmetry to analyze Big Five from a cognitive perspective. In brief, four of the Big Five categories describe various aspects of emotional behavior that the average person would label as unusual, while the final category of Conscientiousness describes the mental circuit of technical thought as viewed from the perspective of the average person.
This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry to explain how major elements of mathemati... more This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry to explain how major elements of mathematical thought emerge from the structure of the mind. Mental symmetry suggests the mind can function in the three primary ways of technical thought, normal thought, and mental networks. The hypothesis is presented that mathematical thought can be analyzed cognitively as the interaction between abstract and concrete technical thought. Going further, abstract technical thought is seeded by concrete technical thought but can then function independently of concrete technical thought. This hypothesis is supported by looking at the history and context of math.
A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to exp... more A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to explain core aspects of scientific thought and theology. A previous paper showed that this cognitive model can be mapped in detail onto current neurology and this model has also been used as a meta-theory to explain many aspects of human thought and behavior. This paper will begin by describing the theory of mental symmetry. The methodology of cognitively natural, semi-rigorous, analogical analysis will then be introduced: The analogical reasoning comes from finding similarities in the way that the mind analyzes various situations and topics. This is cognitively natural because it is guided by how cognition naturally interprets situations, and it is semi-rigorous because analogies are used in a manner that is consistent with how they are used in science. This methodology will be used to analyze many fundamental characteristics of scientific thought. The same cognitive methodology will then be used to analogically relate these fundamental characteristics of scientific thought to central doctrines of Christian theology, including the Trinity, atonement, justification, righteousness, and the conversion experience. The way that a fundamentalist mindset causes these doctrines to be misinterpreted will also be described. Extending this same methodology to biblical exegesis will then be discussed. Approximately half of the original Greek text of the New Testament has been analyzed using this cognitive approach. If the Gospel of Matthew is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then an extensive correlation can be found between the biblical text and Western history, extending from the Roman era until the present time. This correlation is too extensive to be fully presented in this paper, but two sample texts will be analyzed. The full 640 page analysis is available on the mental symmetry website.
This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective ... more This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective and suggests that TESOL is actually a partial expression of Christian doctrine and personal transformation. We present the theory of mental symmetry, based in Romans 12 spiritual gifts and originally developed through historical research and observation of personality, provide neurological evidence for this theory, and then use the theory to provide a cognitive explanation for the Christian Trinitarian God and the Christian path of salvation, as well as show similar elements that exist within TESOL.
A general theory of human cognition must be able to explain all aspects of human thought includin... more A general theory of human cognition must be able to explain all aspects of human thought including scientific and rational thinking, normal thought, and personal identity and emotions. We present a theory that began as a system of cognitive styles, was expanded through an analysis of biographies, mapped onto neurology, developed through a study of personality, and then tested by using it to explain human thought in a number of dissimilar fields. This paper will introduce the theory, show briefly how it is consistent with neurological research, and then use it to analyze the TESOL field, a ‘specialization’ that brings together a broad range of topics related to human thought and behavior which are normally viewed in isolation. The typical second language learner is struggling to learn a new language with all of its idiosyncrasies, while acquiring new paradigms, navigating culture and negotiating personal identity. Examining the mechanisms involved in diverse elements of TESOL, such a...
A mental network can be thought of as an emotionally imposed schema. The first part of this paper... more A mental network can be thought of as an emotionally imposed schema. The first part of this paper suggests that the mental network provides an integrated explanation for the diverse functions of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and that mental networks provide the building blocks for self and Theory of Mind. The second part of the paper combines the mental network with the idea that theories generate emotions to provide an integrated explanation for paradigms, ideologies, sweeping statements, mysticism, theology, fundamentalism, conspiracy theories, and various concepts of God.
Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what sp... more Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what specific brain areas do to make it possible to start examining how various parts of the brain interact. What is missing is a general theory of cognition to tie all of this information together. Back in the 1980s, a cognitive theory was developed that began with a system of cognitive styles and was expanded through an in-depth study of biographies. It was discovered at that time that this theory mapped in a general way onto the brain. This cognitive theory, known as the theory of mental symmetry, has recently been tested as a meta-theory by using it to analyze a number of fields and theories dealing with human thought and behavior. This paper shows that personality traits that were discovered by mental symmetry correspond in detail to the functioning of brain regions described in current neurological papers. In brief, the cognitive model suggests that there are seven cognitive styles: There...
Economics is typically regarded as a collection of partially related theories. However, if econom... more Economics is typically regarded as a collection of partially related theories. However, if economics is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then it becomes evident that these theories form a cognitively natural, coherent package. The theory of mental symmetry is a cognitive model based in seven interacting cognitive modules. This theory is used to analyze most of the fundamental concepts of micro- and macroeconomics, as well as behavioral economics and neuroeconomics. Economics can be explained primarily as a focus upon the interaction between the cognitive module that provides motivation and the cognitive module that emphasizes choice. Economics recognizes the existence of other cognitive modules but regards them as outside of the realm of economics. A fuller cognitive picture can be gained by including the activity of these other cognitive modules. Going further, a cognitive basis for the institutions of macroeconomics can be found by viewing these institutions from the perspec...
A general model of cognition, known as mental symmetry, has been developed that maps onto neurolo... more A general model of cognition, known as mental symmetry, has been developed that maps onto neurology (Friesen, 2019) and can be used to analyze a number of subjects, including personality (Friesen, 1986), language and culture (Friesen & Van Dyke, 2013), economics (Friesen, 2021a), and theology (Friesen, 2015). The methodology used to develop this model was recently described in another article (Friesen, 2021b). This article presents one fundamental concept from that model. This fundamental concept is that theories generate emotions. Facts are not emotional. But when facts are assembled to form some theoretical structure, then that theory will generate emotions. Stated more precisely, a theory generates emotions based upon order-withincomplexity: It feels good when many items come together in a simple manner. It feels bad when there is an exception to some general rule. I am not suggesting that theories are based in emotions of power, culture, and/or personal status. That kind of 'personal and social emotions masquerading as a theory' does exist and is described by approaches such as critical theory (Tyson, 2014). Instead, the suggestion is that mentally acquiring a theory will generate an emotion based upon order-within-complexity which is independent of any emotions related to power, culture, or personal identity. This theoretical emotion can be seen in Oscar Wilde's pithy statement that 'the bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy'. The order-within-complexity of the bureaucracy is itself generating a positive emotion which can be increased by expanding the order-within complexity of the bureaucracy. This is not a new suggestion but can be seen in classic definitions of beauty. For instance, the philosopher Plotinus stated, "where the Ideal-Form has entered, it has grouped and coordinated what from a diversity of parts was to become a unity: it has rallied confusion into cooperation: it has made the sum one harmonious coherence: for the Idea is a unity and what
Immanuel Kant suggested back in 1781 that the structure of the mind causes people to interpret re... more Immanuel Kant suggested back in 1781 that the structure of the mind causes people to interpret reality in certain ways (Smith, 2011). For instance, people believe that reality is composed of space and time because the mind thinks in terms of space and time. Kant's statements have been interpreted in many different ways (Stang, 2016), but the basic principle is that the mind is imposing its structure upon observations of physical reality. This mental imposition suggests a possible method for studying the mind. Stated briefly, a cognitive mechanism can be defined as a form of thinking that results from the structure of the mind; thinking is being pushed in directions that are cognitively natural. Cognitive mechanisms can be uncovered by looking for common thinking patterns in different fields, a methodology that could be described as semi-rigorous analogical reasoning. Research normally attempts to eliminate mental bias in order to gain a clearer understanding of what is being studied (Sackett, 1979). A search for cognitive mechanisms does the opposite, eliminating data in order to gain a clearer understanding of mental bias. Data can be eliminated most effectively by comparing the thinking of unrelated fields. If two fields are totally different, then any commonality between them presumably comes from the minds of those studying these fields. Thus, an empirical field might be compared with a psychological field, observation with introspection, art with mathematics, or objective science with subjective religion. The goal in each case is to look for common ways of thinking that are presumably being caused by cognitive mechanisms. This kind of methodology is, by definition, highly interdisciplinary. And the best results will be achieved by including a wide spectrum of fields. A field that is being analyzed for cognitive mechanisms does not have to be regarded as scientifically valid. Instead, what matters is finding authors who are carefully describing what it means to think about some subjectwhatever that subject may be. This definitely includes Thomas Kuhn's book on paradigms
Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what sp... more Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what specific brain areas do to make it possible to start examining how various parts of the brain interact. What is missing is a general theory of cognition to tie all of this information together. Back in the 1980s, a cognitive theory was developed that began with a system of cognitive styles and was expanded through an in-depth study of biographies. It was discovered at that time that this theory mapped in a general way onto the brain. This cognitive theory, known as the theory of mental symmetry, has recently been tested as a meta-theory by using it to analyze a number of fields and theories dealing with human thought and behavior. This paper shows that personality traits that were discovered by mental symmetry correspond in detail to the functioning of brain regions described in current neurological papers. In brief, the cognitive model suggests that there are seven cognitive styles: There are four simple styles, and there are three composite styles that combine the thinking of the simple styles. Two of the simple styles use emotions and emphasize a circuit composed of orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal cortex, temporal lobe, and amygdala, with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere. The other two simple styles use confidence and emphasize a circuit consisting of dorsolateral frontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, parietal cortex, and hippocampus, again with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere. The three composite styles form a processing chain. The first composite style combines the two simple emotional styles and emphasizes the ventral striatum, and dopamine. This leads to the second composite style, which combines the two simple confidence styles and emphasizes the anterior cingulate, the dorsal striatum, and serotonin. This is followed by the third composite style which balances the functioning of the mind and emphasizes the thalamus and noradrenaline.
A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to exp... more A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to explain core aspects of scientific thought and theology. A previous paper showed that this cognitive model can be mapped in detail onto current neurology and this model has also been used as a meta-theory to explain many aspects of human thought and behavior.
This paper will begin by describing the theory of mental symmetry. The methodology of cognitively natural, semi-rigorous, analogical analysis will then be introduced: The analogical reasoning comes from finding similarities in the way that the mind analyzes various situations and topics. This is cognitively natural because it is guided by how cognition naturally interprets situations, and it is semi-rigorous because analogies are used in a manner that is consistent with how they are used in science.
This methodology will be used to analyze many fundamental characteristics of scientific thought. The same cognitive methodology will then be used to analogically relate these fundamental characteristics of scientific thought to central doctrines of Christian theology, including the Trinity, atonement, justification, righteousness, and the conversion experience. The way that a fundamentalist mindset causes these doctrines to be misinterpreted will also be described.
Extending this same methodology to biblical exegesis will then be discussed. Approximately half of the original Greek text of the New Testament has been analyzed using this cognitive approach. If the Gospel of Matthew is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then an extensive correlation can be found between the biblical text and Western history, extending from the Roman era until the present time. This correlation is too extensive to be fully presented in this paper, but two sample texts will be analyzed. The full 640 page analysis is available on the mental symmetry website.
The TESOL field combines a number of unrelated elements, such as linguistics, culture, identity, ... more The TESOL field combines a number of unrelated elements, such as linguistics, culture, identity, politeness, implicature, international cooperation, and personal transformation. The theory of mental symmetry can be used to provide a unified explanation for these various aspects of cognitive expression.
This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective ... more This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective and suggests that TESOL is actually a partial expression of Christian doctrine and personal transformation. We present the theory of mental symmetry, based in Romans 12 spiritual gifts and originally developed through historical research and observation of personality, provide neurological evidence for this theory, and then use the theory to provide a cognitive explanation for the Christian Trinitarian God and the Christian path of salvation, as well as show similar elements that exist within TESOL.
Neurological research has related vmPFC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) activity with many funct... more Neurological research has related vmPFC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) activity with many functions including schema, imagination, self, social interaction, culture, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, morality, economics, marketing, theory of mind, intuition, beauty, and religion. This research suffers from a fundamental flaw, because a method of research that suppresses subjective bias is being used to study the part of the brain that generates subjective bias, leading to research that is accurate but fragmented. The mental network, which is like an emotionally imposed schema, provides a unified explanation for these various functions. This thesis is supported by quoting extensively from research on the vmPFC and is illustrated by Edward Bernays' Propaganda (1928), which pioneered modern marketing methods. The interaction between objective research and subjective bias is examined by looking at the relationship between economics, mental networks, and vmPFC activity. Combining the mental network with the emotion of beauty leads to the concept of the theoretical mental network, which provides a unified explanation for scientific paradigms, ideologies, and a mental concept of God. The theoretical mental network is illustrated by The structure of scientific revolutions by Thomas Kuhn (1970).
This workbook is meant to be used as an introductory course to mental symmetry. It focuses upon t... more This workbook is meant to be used as an introductory course to mental symmetry. It focuses upon the hospital chaplain who is bringing spiritual help to someone in a medical crisis, but is also appropriate for any religiously orientated social worker who is interacting with the health system. This workbook recognizes the Christian perspective, while taking a cognitive approach and acknowledging that we now live in a post-Christian, multi-religious, and multicultural environment. We will define religion as the human attempt to deal with the deepest questions of human existence. These questions tend to be ignored during normal life because they are uncomfortable. However, a person in a medical crisis comes face-to-face with these deeper questions and is looking for answers. We will examine how each of the seven cognitive styles deals with such a crisis and we will suggest that the medical experience can provide a starting point for discussing possible answers in a manner that is both plausible and meaningful. We will also discuss how Romans 12 spiritual gifts are taught in Christian circles and examine how this relates to the deeper questions of life. (The updated version fixes several typos.)
This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry as a meta-theory to integrate a number of ... more This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry as a meta-theory to integrate a number of theories within second language acquisition (SLA), as well as provide a framework for neurological research in linguistics. Mental symmetry has been used to analyze several fields and systems, but it applies especially well to SLA. That is because learning a language means mentally acquiring a structure that is capable of describing all aspects of human thought and experience, and acquiring a new language has a similarly universal impact. Thus, SLA really needs an integrated theory of cognition. In most fields there is a large gap between the technical specialization of that field and a meta-theory. This gap is unusually small within the field of SLA, making it possible to present a meta-theory as an integrated theory of the specialization.
Big Five is a popular system of personality categories that began as a list of words describing p... more Big Five is a popular system of personality categories that began as a list of words describing personality traits gathered from the dictionary. Mental symmetry is a cognitive meta-theory that began as a system of cognitive styles which models the mind as seven interacting cognitive modules. This paper uses mental symmetry to analyze Big Five from a cognitive perspective. In brief, four of the Big Five categories describe various aspects of emotional behavior that the average person would label as unusual, while the final category of Conscientiousness describes the mental circuit of technical thought as viewed from the perspective of the average person.
This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry to explain how major elements of mathemati... more This paper uses the cognitive model of mental symmetry to explain how major elements of mathematical thought emerge from the structure of the mind. Mental symmetry suggests the mind can function in the three primary ways of technical thought, normal thought, and mental networks. The hypothesis is presented that mathematical thought can be analyzed cognitively as the interaction between abstract and concrete technical thought. Going further, abstract technical thought is seeded by concrete technical thought but can then function independently of concrete technical thought. This hypothesis is supported by looking at the history and context of math.
A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to exp... more A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to explain core aspects of scientific thought and theology. A previous paper showed that this cognitive model can be mapped in detail onto current neurology and this model has also been used as a meta-theory to explain many aspects of human thought and behavior. This paper will begin by describing the theory of mental symmetry. The methodology of cognitively natural, semi-rigorous, analogical analysis will then be introduced: The analogical reasoning comes from finding similarities in the way that the mind analyzes various situations and topics. This is cognitively natural because it is guided by how cognition naturally interprets situations, and it is semi-rigorous because analogies are used in a manner that is consistent with how they are used in science. This methodology will be used to analyze many fundamental characteristics of scientific thought. The same cognitive methodology will then be used to analogically relate these fundamental characteristics of scientific thought to central doctrines of Christian theology, including the Trinity, atonement, justification, righteousness, and the conversion experience. The way that a fundamentalist mindset causes these doctrines to be misinterpreted will also be described. Extending this same methodology to biblical exegesis will then be discussed. Approximately half of the original Greek text of the New Testament has been analyzed using this cognitive approach. If the Gospel of Matthew is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then an extensive correlation can be found between the biblical text and Western history, extending from the Roman era until the present time. This correlation is too extensive to be fully presented in this paper, but two sample texts will be analyzed. The full 640 page analysis is available on the mental symmetry website.
This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective ... more This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective and suggests that TESOL is actually a partial expression of Christian doctrine and personal transformation. We present the theory of mental symmetry, based in Romans 12 spiritual gifts and originally developed through historical research and observation of personality, provide neurological evidence for this theory, and then use the theory to provide a cognitive explanation for the Christian Trinitarian God and the Christian path of salvation, as well as show similar elements that exist within TESOL.
A general theory of human cognition must be able to explain all aspects of human thought includin... more A general theory of human cognition must be able to explain all aspects of human thought including scientific and rational thinking, normal thought, and personal identity and emotions. We present a theory that began as a system of cognitive styles, was expanded through an analysis of biographies, mapped onto neurology, developed through a study of personality, and then tested by using it to explain human thought in a number of dissimilar fields. This paper will introduce the theory, show briefly how it is consistent with neurological research, and then use it to analyze the TESOL field, a ‘specialization’ that brings together a broad range of topics related to human thought and behavior which are normally viewed in isolation. The typical second language learner is struggling to learn a new language with all of its idiosyncrasies, while acquiring new paradigms, navigating culture and negotiating personal identity. Examining the mechanisms involved in diverse elements of TESOL, such a...
A mental network can be thought of as an emotionally imposed schema. The first part of this paper... more A mental network can be thought of as an emotionally imposed schema. The first part of this paper suggests that the mental network provides an integrated explanation for the diverse functions of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and that mental networks provide the building blocks for self and Theory of Mind. The second part of the paper combines the mental network with the idea that theories generate emotions to provide an integrated explanation for paradigms, ideologies, sweeping statements, mysticism, theology, fundamentalism, conspiracy theories, and various concepts of God.
Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what sp... more Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what specific brain areas do to make it possible to start examining how various parts of the brain interact. What is missing is a general theory of cognition to tie all of this information together. Back in the 1980s, a cognitive theory was developed that began with a system of cognitive styles and was expanded through an in-depth study of biographies. It was discovered at that time that this theory mapped in a general way onto the brain. This cognitive theory, known as the theory of mental symmetry, has recently been tested as a meta-theory by using it to analyze a number of fields and theories dealing with human thought and behavior. This paper shows that personality traits that were discovered by mental symmetry correspond in detail to the functioning of brain regions described in current neurological papers. In brief, the cognitive model suggests that there are seven cognitive styles: There...
Economics is typically regarded as a collection of partially related theories. However, if econom... more Economics is typically regarded as a collection of partially related theories. However, if economics is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then it becomes evident that these theories form a cognitively natural, coherent package. The theory of mental symmetry is a cognitive model based in seven interacting cognitive modules. This theory is used to analyze most of the fundamental concepts of micro- and macroeconomics, as well as behavioral economics and neuroeconomics. Economics can be explained primarily as a focus upon the interaction between the cognitive module that provides motivation and the cognitive module that emphasizes choice. Economics recognizes the existence of other cognitive modules but regards them as outside of the realm of economics. A fuller cognitive picture can be gained by including the activity of these other cognitive modules. Going further, a cognitive basis for the institutions of macroeconomics can be found by viewing these institutions from the perspec...
A general model of cognition, known as mental symmetry, has been developed that maps onto neurolo... more A general model of cognition, known as mental symmetry, has been developed that maps onto neurology (Friesen, 2019) and can be used to analyze a number of subjects, including personality (Friesen, 1986), language and culture (Friesen & Van Dyke, 2013), economics (Friesen, 2021a), and theology (Friesen, 2015). The methodology used to develop this model was recently described in another article (Friesen, 2021b). This article presents one fundamental concept from that model. This fundamental concept is that theories generate emotions. Facts are not emotional. But when facts are assembled to form some theoretical structure, then that theory will generate emotions. Stated more precisely, a theory generates emotions based upon order-withincomplexity: It feels good when many items come together in a simple manner. It feels bad when there is an exception to some general rule. I am not suggesting that theories are based in emotions of power, culture, and/or personal status. That kind of 'personal and social emotions masquerading as a theory' does exist and is described by approaches such as critical theory (Tyson, 2014). Instead, the suggestion is that mentally acquiring a theory will generate an emotion based upon order-within-complexity which is independent of any emotions related to power, culture, or personal identity. This theoretical emotion can be seen in Oscar Wilde's pithy statement that 'the bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy'. The order-within-complexity of the bureaucracy is itself generating a positive emotion which can be increased by expanding the order-within complexity of the bureaucracy. This is not a new suggestion but can be seen in classic definitions of beauty. For instance, the philosopher Plotinus stated, "where the Ideal-Form has entered, it has grouped and coordinated what from a diversity of parts was to become a unity: it has rallied confusion into cooperation: it has made the sum one harmonious coherence: for the Idea is a unity and what
Immanuel Kant suggested back in 1781 that the structure of the mind causes people to interpret re... more Immanuel Kant suggested back in 1781 that the structure of the mind causes people to interpret reality in certain ways (Smith, 2011). For instance, people believe that reality is composed of space and time because the mind thinks in terms of space and time. Kant's statements have been interpreted in many different ways (Stang, 2016), but the basic principle is that the mind is imposing its structure upon observations of physical reality. This mental imposition suggests a possible method for studying the mind. Stated briefly, a cognitive mechanism can be defined as a form of thinking that results from the structure of the mind; thinking is being pushed in directions that are cognitively natural. Cognitive mechanisms can be uncovered by looking for common thinking patterns in different fields, a methodology that could be described as semi-rigorous analogical reasoning. Research normally attempts to eliminate mental bias in order to gain a clearer understanding of what is being studied (Sackett, 1979). A search for cognitive mechanisms does the opposite, eliminating data in order to gain a clearer understanding of mental bias. Data can be eliminated most effectively by comparing the thinking of unrelated fields. If two fields are totally different, then any commonality between them presumably comes from the minds of those studying these fields. Thus, an empirical field might be compared with a psychological field, observation with introspection, art with mathematics, or objective science with subjective religion. The goal in each case is to look for common ways of thinking that are presumably being caused by cognitive mechanisms. This kind of methodology is, by definition, highly interdisciplinary. And the best results will be achieved by including a wide spectrum of fields. A field that is being analyzed for cognitive mechanisms does not have to be regarded as scientifically valid. Instead, what matters is finding authors who are carefully describing what it means to think about some subjectwhatever that subject may be. This definitely includes Thomas Kuhn's book on paradigms
Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what sp... more Neurological research has made amazing strides in recent years. Enough is now known about what specific brain areas do to make it possible to start examining how various parts of the brain interact. What is missing is a general theory of cognition to tie all of this information together. Back in the 1980s, a cognitive theory was developed that began with a system of cognitive styles and was expanded through an in-depth study of biographies. It was discovered at that time that this theory mapped in a general way onto the brain. This cognitive theory, known as the theory of mental symmetry, has recently been tested as a meta-theory by using it to analyze a number of fields and theories dealing with human thought and behavior. This paper shows that personality traits that were discovered by mental symmetry correspond in detail to the functioning of brain regions described in current neurological papers. In brief, the cognitive model suggests that there are seven cognitive styles: There are four simple styles, and there are three composite styles that combine the thinking of the simple styles. Two of the simple styles use emotions and emphasize a circuit composed of orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal cortex, temporal lobe, and amygdala, with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere. The other two simple styles use confidence and emphasize a circuit consisting of dorsolateral frontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, parietal cortex, and hippocampus, again with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere. The three composite styles form a processing chain. The first composite style combines the two simple emotional styles and emphasizes the ventral striatum, and dopamine. This leads to the second composite style, which combines the two simple confidence styles and emphasizes the anterior cingulate, the dorsal striatum, and serotonin. This is followed by the third composite style which balances the functioning of the mind and emphasizes the thalamus and noradrenaline.
A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to exp... more A cognitive model is presented, known as the theory of mental symmetry. This model is used to explain core aspects of scientific thought and theology. A previous paper showed that this cognitive model can be mapped in detail onto current neurology and this model has also been used as a meta-theory to explain many aspects of human thought and behavior.
This paper will begin by describing the theory of mental symmetry. The methodology of cognitively natural, semi-rigorous, analogical analysis will then be introduced: The analogical reasoning comes from finding similarities in the way that the mind analyzes various situations and topics. This is cognitively natural because it is guided by how cognition naturally interprets situations, and it is semi-rigorous because analogies are used in a manner that is consistent with how they are used in science.
This methodology will be used to analyze many fundamental characteristics of scientific thought. The same cognitive methodology will then be used to analogically relate these fundamental characteristics of scientific thought to central doctrines of Christian theology, including the Trinity, atonement, justification, righteousness, and the conversion experience. The way that a fundamentalist mindset causes these doctrines to be misinterpreted will also be described.
Extending this same methodology to biblical exegesis will then be discussed. Approximately half of the original Greek text of the New Testament has been analyzed using this cognitive approach. If the Gospel of Matthew is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then an extensive correlation can be found between the biblical text and Western history, extending from the Roman era until the present time. This correlation is too extensive to be fully presented in this paper, but two sample texts will be analyzed. The full 640 page analysis is available on the mental symmetry website.
The TESOL field combines a number of unrelated elements, such as linguistics, culture, identity, ... more The TESOL field combines a number of unrelated elements, such as linguistics, culture, identity, politeness, implicature, international cooperation, and personal transformation. The theory of mental symmetry can be used to provide a unified explanation for these various aspects of cognitive expression.
This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective ... more This paper examines the relationship between Christianity and TESOL from a cognitive perspective and suggests that TESOL is actually a partial expression of Christian doctrine and personal transformation. We present the theory of mental symmetry, based in Romans 12 spiritual gifts and originally developed through historical research and observation of personality, provide neurological evidence for this theory, and then use the theory to provide a cognitive explanation for the Christian Trinitarian God and the Christian path of salvation, as well as show similar elements that exist within TESOL.
This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at AAR Pacific Northwest 2015. It presents a summ... more This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at AAR Pacific Northwest 2015. It presents a summary of the theory of mental symmetry and show how cognitive mechanisms can be used to explain a mental concept of a Trinitarian God as well as the Christian prayer of salvation.
This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at CELT 2014, the International Christian TESOL c... more This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at CELT 2014, the International Christian TESOL conference. The theory of mental symmetry was used to provide an integrated explanation for core concepts of both Christianity and TESOL. In both cases, a new verbal system is leading to a transformation in culture and identity. The two hour talk can be viewed on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjNxqt9Qgig
This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at TESL Canada 2012. This was the initial version... more This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at TESL Canada 2012. This was the initial version of using the theory of mental symmetry as a meta-theory to explain a number of aspects of the TESOL field.
This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at TEAL BC 2013. It is an updated version of the ... more This is the powerpoint for a presentation given at TEAL BC 2013. It is an updated version of the TESL Canada 2012 talk. The theory of mental symmetry is used to provide a cognitive explanation for a number of aspects of the TESOL field
This is an introduction to the theory of mental symmetry that was written back in 1997. This vers... more This is an introduction to the theory of mental symmetry that was written back in 1997. This version was edited in 2011. Some of the concepts have been updated since then, but it still provides a simple starting point.
This book was written in 2001. It interprets the four MBTI divisions as splits that naturally occ... more This book was written in 2001. It interprets the four MBTI divisions as splits that naturally occur within the mind which need to be integrated in a certain order in order to reach personal and societal wholeness. One can explain a lot using this approach. However, one is still taking the negative approach of viewing mental integration as the opposite of mental splits. My current approach takes the positive viewpoint of interpreting mental integration as the development of mental circuits and brain regions.
This book is written for the average reader and the writing style is not academic. However, it does accurately describe many forms of thought that have become dominant in today’s society. This is significant considering that it was written almost twenty years ago. I have made only minor edits to the text itself, but have added a number of explanatory footnotes (which are preceded by the phrase ‘Note from 2020:’). Hopefully, these footnotes add some 2020 hindsight.
This book was never published, but it was divided into four parts and placed on the mentalsymmetry.com website in 2010. Volume 1 of A Programmer’s Guide to the Mind was recently uploaded onto academia.edu by someone else, so I thought that it would be useful to upload official copies of both Volume 1 and 2.
This is an introduction to the theory of mental symmetry that was written back in 1997. Some of t... more This is an introduction to the theory of mental symmetry that was written back in 1997. Some of the concepts have been updated since then, but it still provides a simple starting point. It has been available on my website but someone recently uploaded it to academia.edu so I thought that I would provide an official copy.
This is an earlier version (written in 2012) of the cognitive model presented in Natural Cognitiv... more This is an earlier version (written in 2012) of the cognitive model presented in Natural Cognitive Theology. While it is more complicated and less complete than the latest book, it is also sufficiently different and contain sufficient additional material to be worth reading as a supplemental to Natural Cognitive Theology. However, I recommend starting with Natural Cognitive Theology before reading this volume.
This book includes the following topics that are not in the later volume: Quine's Web of Belief, Martin Heidegger, music, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Kohlberg's stages of conscience, Foucault's epistemes, and unsolved problems of philosophy, In addition, there is a fairly extensive discussion of technical thought.
One does not normally relate neurology, cognitive theory, and Christian theology. This book prese... more One does not normally relate neurology, cognitive theory, and Christian theology. This book presents the thesis that these three fit together quite well, and that the resulting structure is consistent with the thinking of math and science. The starting point is a cognitive model known as mental symmetry. This model began as a list of seven ‘spiritual gifts’ from the Biblical book of Romans, was expanded into a system of cognitive styles through an extended study of biographies and then mapped onto brain regions, and has been tested with several decades of observation and analysis of human personality. A cognitive model makes it possible to ask how the mind could function and to work out the steps that are required to get all aspects of the mind to function in an integrated manner. It appears that embodiment causes the mind of the child to function in a manner that is fragmented and incomplete, as described by Piaget’s cognitive stages. This book analyzes the process of reprogramming the childish mind so that it functions in a more complete manner.
Interaction between different aspects of the mind will naturally cause a concept of God to emerge, and the type of divine concept that forms will depend upon how the various aspects of the mind are functioning and interacting—regardless of whether such a God actually exists or not. If the mind functions in an integrated manner, then the concept of God that forms is that of a Christian Trinity.
Incarnation can be analyzed as an internal struggle to integrate abstract technical thought with concrete technical thought, illustrated by the deep relationship between math and science. Far from being an incomprehensible mystery, it appears that a concept of incarnation will naturally emerge when the most rational aspects of human thought are integrated. Similarly, the Christian ‘prayer of salvation’ can be analyzed from a purely cognitive perspective as a method of mentally viewing a concept of God indirectly through a concept of incarnation.
The final section of this book contains a 70 page overview of the latest findings in neurology, covering all the major cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, quoting from almost a hundred recent papers.
Robert McCauley wrote a summary of the Cognitive Science of Religion in 2011 entitled Why Religio... more Robert McCauley wrote a summary of the Cognitive Science of Religion in 2011 entitled Why Religion is Natural and Science is Not. I have posted an essay which uses the theory of mental symmetry to explain and analyze McCauley's description of CSR. This is an essay and not a peer-reviewed article. But it is more than a book review because it takes the content of an entire book and places it within the framework of a cognitive theory.
A cognitive meta-theory has been developed by looking for common patterns of behavior in differen... more A cognitive meta-theory has been developed by looking for common patterns of behavior in different fields (Friesen, 2021c). A primary concept of this theory is the mental network (MN), which can be thought of as an emotionally imposed schema. The MN provides a unified explanation for the diverse functions of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Going further, MNs provide the building blocks for forming concepts of self and others, and Theory of Mind uses MNs to predict the thinking and behavior of others. Another primary concept of the meta-theory is the idea that theories generate emotions (Friesen, 2021b). Facts are not emotional, but when facts are assembled into theories, then an emotion will be generated based upon order-within-complexity. Putting these two concepts together leads to the idea of a theoretical mental network (TMN). The TMN provides a unified explanation for Thomas Kuhn's concept of paradigms and paradigm shifts, ideologies, sweeping statements, and conspiracy theories, as well as explaining many facets of religion including mysticism, theology, fundamentalism, and associated concepts of God.
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What is missing is a general theory of cognition to tie all of this information together.
Back in the 1980s, a cognitive theory was developed that began with a system of cognitive styles and was expanded through an in-depth study of biographies. It was discovered at that time that this theory mapped in a general way onto the brain. This cognitive theory, known as the theory of mental symmetry, has recently been tested as a meta-theory by using it to analyze a number of fields and theories dealing with human thought and behavior.
This paper shows that personality traits that were discovered by mental symmetry correspond in detail to the functioning of brain regions described in current neurological papers. In brief, the cognitive model suggests that there are seven cognitive styles: There are four simple styles, and there are three composite styles that combine the thinking of the simple styles.
Two of the simple styles use emotions and emphasize a circuit composed of orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal cortex, temporal lobe, and amygdala, with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere. The other two simple styles use confidence and emphasize a circuit consisting of dorsolateral frontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, parietal cortex, and hippocampus, again with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere.
The three composite styles form a processing chain. The first composite style combines the two simple emotional styles and emphasizes the ventral striatum, and dopamine. This leads to the second composite style, which combines the two simple confidence styles and emphasizes the anterior cingulate, the dorsal striatum, and serotonin. This is followed by the third composite style which balances the functioning of the mind and emphasizes the thalamus and noradrenaline.
This paper will begin by describing the theory of mental symmetry. The methodology of cognitively natural, semi-rigorous, analogical analysis will then be introduced: The analogical reasoning comes from finding similarities in the way that the mind analyzes various situations and topics. This is cognitively natural because it is guided by how cognition naturally interprets situations, and it is semi-rigorous because analogies are used in a manner that is consistent with how they are used in science.
This methodology will be used to analyze many fundamental characteristics of scientific thought. The same cognitive methodology will then be used to analogically relate these fundamental characteristics of scientific thought to central doctrines of Christian theology, including the Trinity, atonement, justification, righteousness, and the conversion experience. The way that a fundamentalist mindset causes these doctrines to be misinterpreted will also be described.
Extending this same methodology to biblical exegesis will then be discussed. Approximately half of the original Greek text of the New Testament has been analyzed using this cognitive approach. If the Gospel of Matthew is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then an extensive correlation can be found between the biblical text and Western history, extending from the Roman era until the present time. This correlation is too extensive to be fully presented in this paper, but two sample texts will be analyzed. The full 640 page analysis is available on the mental symmetry website.
What is missing is a general theory of cognition to tie all of this information together.
Back in the 1980s, a cognitive theory was developed that began with a system of cognitive styles and was expanded through an in-depth study of biographies. It was discovered at that time that this theory mapped in a general way onto the brain. This cognitive theory, known as the theory of mental symmetry, has recently been tested as a meta-theory by using it to analyze a number of fields and theories dealing with human thought and behavior.
This paper shows that personality traits that were discovered by mental symmetry correspond in detail to the functioning of brain regions described in current neurological papers. In brief, the cognitive model suggests that there are seven cognitive styles: There are four simple styles, and there are three composite styles that combine the thinking of the simple styles.
Two of the simple styles use emotions and emphasize a circuit composed of orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal cortex, temporal lobe, and amygdala, with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere. The other two simple styles use confidence and emphasize a circuit consisting of dorsolateral frontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, parietal cortex, and hippocampus, again with one in the left hemisphere and the other in the right hemisphere.
The three composite styles form a processing chain. The first composite style combines the two simple emotional styles and emphasizes the ventral striatum, and dopamine. This leads to the second composite style, which combines the two simple confidence styles and emphasizes the anterior cingulate, the dorsal striatum, and serotonin. This is followed by the third composite style which balances the functioning of the mind and emphasizes the thalamus and noradrenaline.
This paper will begin by describing the theory of mental symmetry. The methodology of cognitively natural, semi-rigorous, analogical analysis will then be introduced: The analogical reasoning comes from finding similarities in the way that the mind analyzes various situations and topics. This is cognitively natural because it is guided by how cognition naturally interprets situations, and it is semi-rigorous because analogies are used in a manner that is consistent with how they are used in science.
This methodology will be used to analyze many fundamental characteristics of scientific thought. The same cognitive methodology will then be used to analogically relate these fundamental characteristics of scientific thought to central doctrines of Christian theology, including the Trinity, atonement, justification, righteousness, and the conversion experience. The way that a fundamentalist mindset causes these doctrines to be misinterpreted will also be described.
Extending this same methodology to biblical exegesis will then be discussed. Approximately half of the original Greek text of the New Testament has been analyzed using this cognitive approach. If the Gospel of Matthew is analyzed from a cognitive perspective, then an extensive correlation can be found between the biblical text and Western history, extending from the Roman era until the present time. This correlation is too extensive to be fully presented in this paper, but two sample texts will be analyzed. The full 640 page analysis is available on the mental symmetry website.
This book is written for the average reader and the writing style is not academic. However, it does accurately describe many forms of thought that have become dominant in today’s society. This is significant considering that it was written almost twenty years ago. I have made only minor edits to the text itself, but have added a number of explanatory footnotes (which are preceded by the phrase ‘Note from 2020:’). Hopefully, these footnotes add some 2020 hindsight.
This book was never published, but it was divided into four parts and placed on the mentalsymmetry.com website in 2010. Volume 1 of A Programmer’s Guide to the Mind was recently uploaded onto academia.edu by someone else, so I thought that it would be useful to upload official copies of both Volume 1 and 2.
This book includes the following topics that are not in the later volume: Quine's Web of Belief, Martin Heidegger, music, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Kohlberg's stages of conscience, Foucault's epistemes, and unsolved problems of philosophy, In addition, there is a fairly extensive discussion of technical thought.
Interaction between different aspects of the mind will naturally cause a concept of God to emerge, and the type of divine concept that forms will depend upon how the various aspects of the mind are functioning and interacting—regardless of whether such a God actually exists or not. If the mind functions in an integrated manner, then the concept of God that forms is that of a Christian Trinity.
Incarnation can be analyzed as an internal struggle to integrate abstract technical thought with concrete technical thought, illustrated by the deep relationship between math and science. Far from being an incomprehensible mystery, it appears that a concept of incarnation will naturally emerge when the most rational aspects of human thought are integrated. Similarly, the Christian ‘prayer of salvation’ can be analyzed from a purely cognitive perspective as a method of mentally viewing a concept of God indirectly through a concept of incarnation.
The final section of this book contains a 70 page overview of the latest findings in neurology, covering all the major cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, quoting from almost a hundred recent papers.