DBT9 - it's the first time I even heard the name 'Jaynes' - I believe his speculations deserve a lot more attention than he received. Of course anything to do with our distant past can only be called speculative, as we have no way of proving anything, just as much as we have no way of accessing the original meaning, circumstances etc. when our holy books were created, or dictated by g.d to seers, etc. - and this is what has spawned entire industries of researchers, interpreters, all claiming to have found the nugget of truth.
The only thing each of us can do is listen to our inner voice and be observant of all things round us, including our animal companions - if we know someone who has an unusual psyche, not laugh at him or her, but be tolerant, listen to the inner voice these people seem to be hearing.
I have a neighbour whose highly intelligent son 'had a nervous breakdown' at age 21 and since then has been unable to function normally, he has wild fantasies about the world around him, tells me everything I want to hear about his Dad, claimed his Dad was this famous all-powerful person who knows all about everything.The son suffers from schizophrenia, but can and does drive a car. It is a wonder we do not have more accidents on the road, when you become aware of such a nugget of information.
So maybe our psychiatrists etc. have a lot more access to people with unusual, maybe even 'ancient' minds, but treat them with drugs, according to preconceived notions.
I think there is a whole area just waiting to be further researched, maybe with a bit more humanity rather than the objectivity of science.
Jaynes' "the Origin of Consciousness" is definitely on the list of books to read, once I have worked my way through my existing pile of books.
Go well
Taurisk
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