Julian Jaynes was an American psychologist who wrote a book called “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.” His theory was that consciousness arose as a result of a breakdown between the barrier that had previously separated the right and left hemispheres of the brain – specifically, the hemispheres responsible for speech. Mr. Jaynes provides a compelling accumulation of research in his book.
Of most interest to me in this post, is his analysis of religion in the book. Mr. Jaynes outlines a possible etiology of religion. He ties both of these theories together, by showing how our earliest recordings of religions recount their adherents’ hearing the voice of God.
In fact, this was so common that each family had a God in a central location in the home. Mr. Jaynes suggests that what these people were actually hearing was their own internal dialogue. But without the associative help of the left hemisphere, they couldn’t understand that the voice was their own consciousness.
Theology aside, the history he provides of the cultures that worshiped idols placed in central locations in their homes compels us to ask another question. If Mr. Jaynes is right, what replaced that physical, mental, and social need to hear commands from on High? Simply understanding that it was our own internal voice couldn’t fulfill the desire to have a connection with one’s “Higher Power.”
As evidence that that understanding wasn’t enough, look to the churches, cathedrals, and other religious monuments that populate our man-made environment. They’re everywhere! And in the center of each, is the idol we fashion, to which we look for guidance, though mute.
Tonight, Jim Fleming’s interview with Cameron Sinclair on KQED immediately brought Mr. Jaynes’ work to mind. She lamented the central place that a certain appliance holds in our homes, and wishes living rooms could either be without them entirely, or that it at least be relegated to a peripheral location.
I can’t help but wonder, what service the television really provides to us? And with the amount of TV being watched by average American’s hovering somewhere around 4 hours per day, the question becomes more interesting. When we think about the fact that TV viewing takes precedence over even the most natural urges, like moving, I feel like there’s something very deep going on here.
Where is the TV placed in most homes? Where is it in your home?
What is your relationship with this Oracle? And is it giving you what you seek?