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Interviews | November 19, 2009

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[Editor's note: The following is a reprint of our 2005 interview with John Irving, whose new novel, Last Night in Twisted River, has just come out... Continue »

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More copies of this ISBN:

The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind

by Julian Jaynes

The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"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." — John Updike

Synopsis:

At the heart of this classic, seminal book is Jaynes's 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 still is developing.

About the Author

Julian Jaynes (1923-1997) achieved an almost cult-like reputation for this controversial book, which was his only published work.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
talley, September 3, 2007 (view all comments by talley)
Julian Jaynes thesis and arguments in support of it are very compelling. This is the most mind-opening book I have ever read. Is it possible to have society without consciousness? Yes, and Jaynes shows that this was the norm in people's distant past. His basic question is, Where did consciousness come from? And why? He answers this clearly and objectively. It's impossible to prove his thesis, because everything happened so long ago, leaving no fossil record, only the records in early writing and early drawn pictures. But I was convinced.
This is not an easy read, not for summer reading on the beach, but it is worth the effort. I've read it three times, partly to remind myself of the arguments and partly because it is so well written.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780618057078
Author:
Jaynes, Julian
Publisher:
Mariner Books
Location:
Boston
Subject:
History
Subject:
Human Physiology
Subject:
Humanism
Subject:
Consciousness
Subject:
Movements - Humanism
Subject:
Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series Volume:
bk. 23
Publication Date:
August 2000
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
512
Dimensions:
9.08x6.04x1.27 in. 1.38 lbs.

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