People and paradigms: mental networks and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex

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.