The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind

De: Julian Jaynes

Narrado por: James Patrick Cronin

At the heart of this classic, seminal book is Julian Jaynes' still-controversial thesis that human consciousness did not begin far back in animal evolution but instead is a learned process that came about only 3,000 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.

©1976, 1990 Julian Jaynes (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

One of my all time favorite books.

I have read the book version and now have listened to the audible version. I am absolutely fascinated buy this theory.
Julian Jaynes is an eloquent writer and well versed in history and anthropology psychology to name just a few subjects.

Also, the narrator was easy to listen to.

Amazing in every respect!

This book is an amazing journey down the path human brain evolution has followed, and the evolution of the mind the brain creates. (a statement of metaphor in celebration of Jaynes ideas)
Much of this book, all though well supported, is wildly speculative, yet with each speculative portion Jaynes provided rational support, and logical argument. This book has helped change the way I view ancient texts, and the human minds that created them. Jaynes ideas bring into view the stark changes in language/literature over the centuries, and demonstrates no small amount of change in the human mind in the process. For me, despite being focused on somewhat dry psycho-social topics only a small part of the content was unremarkable, and the reader managed to keep my attention throughout most of it.

As with so many other good books, I am left with a great many more questions, ideas, and topics to explore. This book was a fascinating ride, to be sure!

Enlightening

This book has given me answers to questions that I have had for most of my life. It fills in gaps and helps explain the WHY about so many things that tie mental health, religion, biology, history, and neuroscience together.

This book has changed the way I view how our species has changed over time.

It also explains why God (or the gods) have not been as "chatty" as they once were.

Fascinating hypothesis

This is a really fascinating hypothesis, but unfortunately I lack the expertise to evaluate its validity.

Phenomenal Book

One of the best I’ve read in a while. Highly recommend. Read a/ book though, it is dense.

Paradigm Shifting

The work that inspired Neal Stephensen’s Snowcrash stands on its own for its rich and bold ideas. Though admittedly subjective in its archeological anthropology and psychology, the work is ambitious in its implications. Where evidence is lacking, logic and fact pattern form plausible buttresses.

boring but educa tional. I don't agree.

hard to listen to.big words. good to say I pressed on through. won't read again.

Mind Blown

Incredibly thought-provoking hypothesis regarding modern human consciousness, mental illnesses, and culture. I’ve read a number of books about consciousness, and this is the bravest and most entertaining of them. Relativity fast read and the language is completely approachable for lay readers like me. The reader was perfect and felt, after a very short time, like the author themself was speaking to me.

Great concept!

What made the experience of listening to The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind the most enjoyable?

Hearing "new" ideas about the origin of consciousness, and how the past can help explain current psychological problems.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Solid delivery

What does James Patrick Cronin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voice of a god. I must go and make a shrine to him.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You've never been conscious of your consciousness like this before.

Very thought provoking book!

It's rare that I find a book which really gives me completely new ideas about the world. This is definitely a book that makes you pounder your experience.