Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- overview-four-hypotheses [2024/04/14 19:16] – brian.m
+++ overview-four-hypotheses [2024/04/30 14:47] (current) – brian.m
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ==== INTRODUCTION TO JULIAN JAYNES'S THEORY ====
-In 1977 Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes (1920–1997) put forth a bold new theory about human psychology in the controversial but critically acclaimed book //The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind//. To support his theory, Jaynes drew on neuroscience, psychology, archaeology, ancient history, religious studies, linguistics, and the analysis of ancient texts. His theory has profound implications for our understanding of human history as well as many aspects of modern life. Jaynes was far ahead of his time, and his theory remains as relevant and influential today as when it was first published.
+In 1977 Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes (1920–1997) put forth a bold new theory about human psychology in his controversial but critically acclaimed book //The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind//. To support his theory, Jaynes drew on neuroscience, psychology, archaeology, ancient history, religious studies, linguistics, and the analysis of ancient texts. His theory has profound implications for our understanding of human history as well as many aspects of modern life. Jaynes was far ahead of his time, and his theory remains as relevant and influential today as when it was first published.
-Jaynes asserted that consciousness, or subjective introspectable self-awareness, did not arise far back in human evolution but is a learned process based on metaphorical language, not genetic changes. Prior to the development of consciousness, humans behavior was governed by bicameral ("two-chambered") mentality. In the place of an internal dialogue, bicameral individuals experienced audiovisual hallucinations directing their actions, similar to the command hallucinations experienced by many people who hear voices today. These hallucinations were interpreted as the voices of ancestors, chiefs, divine rulers, or gods. It needs to be stressed that by "consciousness" Jaynes did not mean sensory perception, thinking, rational thought, or learning.
+Jaynes asserted that consciousness, or subjective introspectable self-awareness, did not emerge far back in human evolution but is a learned ability based on metaphorical language, not genetic changes. Before consciousness developed, human behavior was governed by bicameral ("two-chambered") mentality. In place of an internal self-dialogue, bicameral individuals experienced audiovisual hallucinations directing their actions, similar to the command hallucinations experienced by many people who hear voices today. These hallucinatory experiences were interpreted as the voices of ancestors, chiefs, divine rulers, or gods. It needs to be stressed that by "consciousness" Jaynes did not mean sensory perception, thinking, rational thought, or learning.
-[[https://www.julianjaynes.org/about/about-jaynes-theory/academic-scholarly-interest/|Numerous commentators and researchers]] have written about Jaynesian psychology, and it has withstood [[https://www.julianjaynes.org/about/about-jaynes-theory/critiques-and-responses/|criticisms and critiques]]; see also: [[https://www.julianjaynes.org/blog/category/myths-vs-facts|Myths vs. Facts About Julian Jaynes's Theory]]. A [[https://www.julianjaynes.org/about/about-jaynes-theory/summary-of-evidence/|summary of the evidence]] is a good place to introduce oneself to his theories.
+[[https://www.julianjaynes.org/about/about-jaynes-theory/academic-scholarly-interest/|Numerous commentators and researchers]] have written about Jaynesian psychology, and it has withstood [[https://www.julianjaynes.org/about/about-jaynes-theory/critiques-and-responses/|criticisms and critiques]]. The interested reader is advised to peruse [[https://www.julianjaynes.org/blog/category/myths-vs-facts|Myths vs. Facts About Julian Jaynes's Theory]] as well as review a [[https://www.julianjaynes.org/about/about-jaynes-theory/summary-of-evidence/|summary of the evidence]].
 ==== Overview: Four Hypotheses ====