Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: Interviews with Leading Thinkers on Julian Jaynes's Theory

Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: Interviews with Leading Thinkers on Julian Jaynes's Theory

Discover the Untold Origins of Human Consciousness Dive into a riveting exploration of what makes us truly human. Featuring 22 deep, illuminating interviews with top scholars and voice-hearers, this groundbreaking collection unpacks Julian Jaynes’s radical theory: that for millennia, voices in the mind were not schizophrenia, but divine commands — and that modern consciousness is a cultural invention. What’s Inside: Questions that shake the foundations of science and spirituality : What is consciousness? How did language and inner awareness evolve? Why do some people hear compelling voices? - Voices from the field : First-hand accounts from individuals who’ve experienced command voices, alongside cutting-edge perspectives from historians, linguists, psychologists, and religious scholars. - Respectful, probing dialogue : Marcel Kuijsten masterfully guides each discussion with nuance, balancing skepticism and curiosity — inviting readers into a thought-provoking conversation, not a lecture. Why You’ll Want This Book: ✨ Revitalizing a classic theory — Jaynes’s 1976 work The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind is now enriched with recent scholarship and compelling new evidence. - 🧠 Perfect for both newcomers and longtime enthusiasts , this accessible interview format demystifies complex ideas without diluting their power amazon.com. - 💡 See why experts agree it’s essential reading : “Endlessly fascinating, scintillating with insight and intelligence…” raves one reviewer — calling it a monumental step forward in understanding the human mind. For Anyone Who: Is curious about how consciousness emerged and what it means to be conscious - Wants to explore the eerie reality of hearing voices—and understand them beyond the medical model - Craves intellectually rich, wide-ranging conversations that bridge science, philosophy, religion, and personal experience Join the Conversation. Whether you're a student of psychology, a seeker of spiritual meaning, or someone drawn to the mysteries of the ancient mind, this book offers a rare opportunity to stand at the frontier of human self-understanding. Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind is 374 pages of suspense, scholarship, and soul-stirring insights — standing at the intersection of where we’ve come from and who we might become next. "... A marvel of collective scholarship across multiple disciplines. ... In this book, you will hear the voices of the most open-minded scholars of our generation." ― William R. Woodward , Professor of Psychology, University of New Hampshire and author of Hermann Lotze: An Intellectual Biography "Rich with ideas and fertile speculations, this outstanding collection of expert interviews advances the revolutionary work of the psychologist Julian Jaynes." ― Richard Rhodes , Historian and Pulitzer Prize Laureate for The Making of the Atomic Bomb "Julian Jaynes was my teacher [at Princeton]. ... Much psychological science since then points to the possibility that he was right. Right about consciousness, right about ancient history, right about evolution, right about language, even right about Homer. This volume begins to close the gap, bringing Jaynes's brilliance to the attention and appreciation of the contemporary public." ― Martin Seligman , Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, and author of The Hope Circuit "I read Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind ... with great delight. ... The material in Conversations is rich in detail and a great way to assist people to understand better each of [Jaynes'] core elements of theorising. The interviewers show great patience and a depth of understanding of the issues in play, and the interviewees demonstrate the abundance of research that has taken place over the last four decades that corroborate and refine Jaynes’ early insights. ... We are greatly indebted to Julian Jaynes’ insights ... and to Marcel Kuijsten for these interviews that demonstrate so well how alive, rich and extensive is the field opened up by Jaynes." ― Dr. Louis Arnoux , Managing Director, Fourth Transition Ltd. "... It is time for a new generation of ... deep thinkers at the heart of every discipline to rediscover Julian Jaynes's tantalizing hypotheses concerning the origin and nature of human consciousness. This collection of interviews ... will enable contemporary readers to understand why Jaynes's style of inquiry remains as captivating and compelling as ever ― and as provocative and controversial. Reader: take the plunge, and join the conversation!" ― Christian Y. Dupont , Ph.D., Associate University Librarian for Collections and Burns Librarian, Boston College, and author of Phenomenology in French Philosophy: Early Encounters Marcel Kuijsten is Founder and Executive Director of the Julian Jaynes Society (julianjaynes.org), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on advancing, promoting, and fostering discussion of