Consciousness and Bicameral Mentality: A Deep Dive Discussion Exploring Nearly Every Aspect of Julian Jaynes's Theory

A fascinating, deep dive discussion that provides an in-depth exploration of nearly every aspect of Julian Jaynes's theory of the origin of consciousness and an earlier mentality he called the bicameral mind.

Highly recommended for those new to Julian Jaynes and long time Jaynes enthusiasts alike!

Produced by Camille Tillier. Introduction read by Michael R. Jacobs (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theungoogleable.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VoidDenizen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).

Learn more about Julian Jaynes's theory or become a member by visiting the Julian Jaynes Society at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.julianjaynes.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Contents:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:51 - Jaynes's Core Claims

00:03:22 - The Origin of Consciousness

00:10:40 - Bicameral Mentality

00:17:52 - Wide-Ranging Implications

00:27:42 - Literary Evidence: Ancient Greece

00:32:50 - Literary Evidence: Mesopotamia

00:38:55 - Literary Evidence: Ancient Egypt

00:41:00 - Archeological Evidence

00:45:02 - Neurological Evidence

00:48:00 - What It Was Like to Be Bicameral

00:52:03 - Absence of Deception and Morality

00:57:21 - The Causes of Consciousness

01:03:06 - Bicameral Vestiges: Omens

01:06:18 - Bicameral Vestiges: Angels and Genii

01:07:43 - Bicameral Vestiges: Oracles and Divination

01:10:37 - Bicameral Vestiges: Tourette Syndrome and Glossolalia

01:11:24 - Bicameral Vestiges: Poetry and Music

01:14:42 - Bicameral Vestiges: Hypnosis

01:17:46 - Bicameral Vestiges: Schizophrenia

01:20:54 - Bicameral Vestiges: Imaginary Companions

01:21:57 - Bicameral Vestiges: Totalitarian States

01:23:12 - New Evidence for Jaynes's Theory

01:30:23 - Profound Implications: Consciousness

01:32:16 - Profound Implications: Religion

01:33:12 - Profound Implications: The Nature of Reality

01:33:55 - Profound Implications: The Human Condition

01:35:25 - Concluding Remarks and the Future of Consciousness