Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind - The Julian Jaynes Society Podcast cover art

Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind - The Julian Jaynes Society Podcast

Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind - The Julian Jaynes Society Podcast

By: Julian Jaynes Society
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Listen to "Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: The Julian Jaynes Society Podcast," where we explore Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes's theory of the origin of consciousness and the bicameral mind, as described in his best selling book, "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind." Produced by Julian Jaynes Society Executive Director Marcel Kuijsten. Learn more about Julian Jaynes's theory or become a member by visiting the Julian Jaynes Society at https://www.julianjaynes.org.Julian Jaynes Society Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 40. The Last Bicameral Prophet? Joseph Smith, Mormonism, and the Bicameral Mind
    Jul 2 2026

    "In the early 1820s, a fourteen year-old boy walked into the woods of Western New York, and experienced a vivid manifestation of lights and voices. This experience led directly to the dictation of the Book of Mormon, and the establishment of a global religion that now counts millions of members. For over a century, the scientific community has struggled to explain these visions, without resorting to theological claims. The historical record makes a theory of pure fraud difficult to sustain. Anthropological evidence suggests that Smith genuinely experienced these events..."

    Learn more by reading "Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind," currently on sale for a limited time:

    https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Consciousness-Bicameral-Mind-Interviews/dp/1737305534

    https://www.julianjaynes.org/book/conversations-on-consciousness-and-the-bicameral-mind/

    Video produced by Marcel Kuijsten using generative AI tools and reviewed by human editors for accuracy and clarity.

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    8 mins
  • 39. The Mystery of the Silent God: The Origin of Christianity and the Bicameral Mind
    Jun 25 2026

    "The Old Testament depicts a God who commands from the outside — a violent, external presence dictating every human action. But in the New Testament, this character changes, becoming an internal source of compassion and quiet grace. For centuries, theologians have attempted to reconcile this contradiction, using spiritual and moral arguments. Psychologist Julian Jaynes offered a different explanation. He argued that the shift across the Biblical timeline doesn't reflect a change in the nature of God, but a psychological evolution in how the human brain processes volution. ..."

    Learn more by reading "Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind," currently on sale for a limited time:

    https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Consciousness-Bicameral-Mind-Interviews/dp/1737305534

    https://www.julianjaynes.org/book/conversations-on-consciousness-and-the-bicameral-mind/

    Video produced by Marcel Kuijsten using generative AI tools and reviewed by human editors for accuracy and clarity.

    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • 38. The Psychological Birth of Judaism: The Origin of Judaism and the Bicameral Mind
    Jun 18 2026

    "The story of Abraham and Isaac is a cornerstone of monotheism. God commands a father to sacrifice his only son, and the father obeys without a single word of protest. For millennia, this has been taught as the definitive model of unwavering religious faith. But we have to consider the possibility that Abraham wasn't 'choosing' to be faithful. If he lacked the psychological capacity to debate or choose, his immediate obedience takes on a different meaning..."

    Learn more by reading "Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind," currently on sale for a limited time:

    https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Consciousness-Bicameral-Mind-Interviews/dp/1737305534

    https://www.julianjaynes.org/book/conversations-on-consciousness-and-the-bicameral-mind/

    Video produced by Marcel Kuijsten using generative AI tools and reviewed by human editors for accuracy and clarity.

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
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