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The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind Paperback – August 15, 2000

by Julian Jaynes (Author)

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At the heart of this classic, seminal book is Julian Jaynes's still-controversial thesis that human consciousness did not begin far back in animal evolution but instead is a learned process that came about only three thousand years ago and is still developing. The implications of this revolutionary scientific paradigm extend into virtually every aspect of our psychology, our history and culture, our religion -- and indeed our future.

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Editorial Reviews

From The New Yorker

"When Julian Jaynes . . . speculates that until late in the twentieth millennium b.c. men had no consciousness but were automatically obeying the voices of the gods, we are astounded but compelled to follow this remarkable thesis."

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Product details

Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Mariner Books; 31578th edition (August 15, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618057072
ISBN-13: 978-0618057078
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 316 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Movements > Humanism
- #54 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Anatomy

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Top customer reviews

GREAT THEORY WEAKED BY OMISSION OF CELTIC MYTH...

ByMichael Tsarionon September 19, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

An incredible thesis for anyone interested in how humans became not only conscious but self-aware beings.

Theories about the absence of introspection as a mental reality prior to three thousand years ago (1500 BC), are supported, says Jaynes, by the colorful sagas of Homer's Illiad, from an analysis of the behavior of Old Testament characters, and even of the behavior and activities of men from ancient China. This may indeed be true.

However, the theory weakens considerably when we turn to pre-Celtic and Celtic lore.

The accounts of the world contained in the works of the Welsh bard Taliesin certainly reveal self-awareness. The proclamations of Irish sun-god Lugh as to his mastery of all the arts, clearly and definitely shows self-awareness, individuality and I-ness, as does the striking Song of Amergin, ancient bard of the Milesian Gaels:

I am the wind on the sea,
I am a wave of the ocean,
I am the roar of the wave,
I am an ox of seven exiles,
I am a hawk on a cliffe,
I am a tear of the sun,
I am a turning in a maze,
I am a boar in valour,
I am a salmon in a pool,
I am a lake on a plain,
I am a dispensing power,
I am a grass-blade in the earth
Subject to decay,
I am a creative, weaving god
Who counsels the head.
Who else clears the stones of a mountain?
Who is it who declaims the sun’s rising?
Who is better to tell where the sun sets?
Who brings cattle from the house of Tethra?
Upon whom do th cattle of Tethra smile?
Who is the ox?
Who is the weaving god who mends the thatch of wounds?
The incantation of a spear - the incantation of the wind!

This poem or incantation was recorded by monks in the Book of Leinster and Book of Invasions, but dates from a period of greater antiquity - the so-called Mythological Cycle of Irish prehistory. Whoever composed the story (probably as a personification of the sun through the 12 houses of the zodiac) was himself self-conscious and capable of composing highly metaphorical works.

There is nothing non-subjective, non-introspective and automated about these statements, nor in Lugh's delineation of his many skills, making him the "Samildanach" of the Gaels.

Moreover, it can be argued that the conversations between Arjuna and Krishna, as found in the Vedic Mahabharata, also show a high degree of self-consciousness in the parties.

This does not invalidate Jaynes' theory, but we must not accept it wholesale. In my estimation, the Bicameral Period probably did exist, but as a relatively temporary state of consciousness brought on by psychic trauma from the effects and aftereffects of terrestrial cataclysm, as delineated by the great Immanuel Velikovsky.

Velikovsky's "Mankind in Amnesia" must be read by everyone tackling the theories of Julian Jaynes and his well-meaning advocates. It is certainly amazing that his cogent and proven theories were not dealt with by Jaynes or any of his advocates. It's a striking omission, as is the lack of interest in Celtic lore.

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If you like to look in-depth at the historical evolution of man's ...

Byyoginion January 26, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A fabulous book that presents an intriguing theory about why consciousness evolved after ancient man no longer heard the voices of the gods. The writing style is very readable and Jaynes' statements are backed up with loads of references from reliable research from several sources. If you like to look in-depth at the historical evolution of man's view of the world, this is one book I would highly recommend.

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Good shape.

ByWilliam F. Pillow, Jr.on September 18, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Fascinating hypothesis about consciousness evolution in humans. Good shape.

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My book!

ByAmazon Customeron June 18, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I received my copy of "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. It was as advertised in good condition and was received in the advertised amount of time.
This book shows how the "bicameral mind" influences the politics and thinking of people and what can be done to influence them to change their minds on matters of policy. Reading this book will enlighten the reader and given the state of today's political scene will give the reader an insight into the mindset of the Far Right thinker.

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I recommend this influential book to anyone interested in pondering the ...

ByAmazon Customeron January 30, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

While Jayne's hypothesis is probably pure bunk, it's highly readable and thought provoking bunk. I recommend this influential book to anyone interested in pondering the nature of consciousness and the divine.

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Five Stars

ByAmazon Customeron December 7, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Really ground breaking and interesting

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Brilliant!

ByJohanne Shepherdon July 11, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I love books that challenge us to think about who we are and what we are doing here. Julian Jaynes has done a wonderful job of researching and describing the breakdown of consciousness in ancient times and the development of our modern concept of self. This book is one of my all time favorites.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I Highy recommend this book to anyone who does not mind a ...

Byklyneon December 22, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

An incredible classic. I have read it twice. Very compelling, and it covers a vary wide range of subjects. I Highy recommend this book to anyone who does not mind a challenge.

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Most recent customer reviews

An exquisite and controversial read

Julian Jaynes' book was an exquisite find when I was doing my Masters in psychology over 20 years ago.Read more

Published 1 day ago by KiwiInOz

the kindle version is full of typos. Clearly obtained using OCR software. Makes reading unpleasant.

The Kindle version is full of typos, which makes reading difficult. Clearly obtained using OCR software. The book itself is highly recommendable, a real eye-opener.

Published 14 days ago by Tablet user

Five Stars

what's old is new again.

Published 1 month ago by Rick Truhls

Four Stars

a gift no feedback

Published 1 month ago by Michael Garlick

Shattered my worldview. Seemingly outrageous theories argued for with ...

Shattered my worldview. Seemingly outrageous theories argued for with sound reasoning and exhaustive citations.Read more

Published 3 months ago by Caleb

You, too, can publish crackpot theories, if you have the right pedigree

Jaynes' book demonstrates that any idea, no matter how nutty, will be given a thorough hearing if it is proposed by someone who has gone to Harvard and Yale and lectured at...Read more

Published 3 months ago by Peter H.

To oppose is to support

The mind and the working's behind how we see and do and how sometimes these are not at all the same thing.Read more

Published 3 months ago by Ishmael

Five Stars

Thank you

Published 4 months ago by Ahmand Page

Easy to follow.

Excellent. Well thought out book. The audiobook version is well recorded and narrated. Very easy to listen to.

Published 4 months ago by Gabriel M. Redding

Read this.

Excellent book with a radical idea. It will change your outlook on history and religion.

Published 4 months ago by Georgian

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