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Marcel Kuijsten

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Marcel Kuijsten is Founder and Executive Director of the Julian Jaynes Society. He has published four books on Julian Jaynes's theory:

"Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: Interviews with Leading Thinkers on Julian Jaynes’s Theory" (forthcoming),
"Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The Theories of Julian Jaynes,"
"The Julian Jaynes Collection," and
"Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited."

**If you'd like to get in touch, please contact me via the website julianjaynes.org, as I do not check my messages here frequently.**

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Books by Marcel Kuijsten

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

How old is consciousness? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? What is the ori... more How old is consciousness? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? What is the origin of god beliefs and religion? Why do people hear voices that command their behavior? These are just a few of the fascinating questions posed by Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes’s influential and controversial theory and discussed in this book.

A treasure trove of provocative ideas, "Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind" explains, extends, clarifies, and presents the latest evidence for Jaynes’s theory in a series of highly engaging interviews with both voice-hearers and leading thinkers on the theory. Topics range from the origin and nature of consciousness; the history, neurology, and experience of hearing voices; sensed presences and imagined “others”; evidence for bicameral mentality in history, diverse cultures, and ancient texts; the nature of hypnosis, dreams, “spirit possession,” and free will; and much more.

Julian Jaynes Society Publications

Publications from the Julian Jaynes Society, including "Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The... more Publications from the Julian Jaynes Society, including "Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The Theories of Julian Jaynes," "The Julian Jaynes Collection," "Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited," "The Minds of the Bible," and "The Jaynesian: The Newsletter of the Julian Jaynes Society."

PDF download

Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The Theories of Julian Jaynes

Does consciousness inevitably arise in any sufficiently complex brain? Although widely accepted, ... more Does consciousness inevitably arise in any sufficiently complex brain? Although widely accepted, this view — inherited from Darwin’s theory of evolution — is supported by surprisingly little evidence. Offering an alternate view of the history of the human mind, Julian Jaynes’s ideas challenge our preconceptions of not only the origin of the modern mind, but the origin of gods and religion, the nature of mental illness, and the future potential of consciousness. The tremendous explanatory power of Jaynes’s ideas force us to reevaluate much of what we thought we knew about human history.

"Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind" both explains Julian Jaynes’s theory and explores a wide range of related topics such as the ancient Dark Age, the nature of dreams and the birth of Greek tragedy, poetic inspiration, the significance of hearing voices in both the ancient and modern world, the development of consciousness in children, the transition to consciousness in early Tibet, the relationship of consciousness and metaphorical language, and how Jaynes’s ideas compare to those of other thinkers.

PDF download

The Julian Jaynes Collection

Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes's revolutionary theory on the origin of conscious... more Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes's revolutionary theory on the origin of consciousness or the "modern mind" remains as relevant and thought-provoking as when it was first proposed. Supported by recent discoveries in neuroscience, Jaynes's ideas force us to rethink conventional views of human history and psychology, and have profound implications for many aspects of modern life.

Included in this volume are rare and never before seen articles, lectures, interviews, and in-depth discussions that both clear up misconceptions as well as extend Jaynes's theory into new areas such as the nature of the self, dreams, emotions, art, music, therapy, and the consequences and future of consciousness.

PDF download

Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited

Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consc... more Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? How is it that oracles came to influence entire civilizations such as the ancient Greeks? If consciousness arose far back in human evolution, how can it so easily be altered in hypnosis and "possession"? Is modern schizophrenia a vestige of an earlier mentality? These are just some of the difficult questions addressed by Julian Jaynes's influential theory of the origin of subjective consciousness or the "modern mind." This book includes an in-depth biography of Julian Jaynes, essays by Jaynes, and the discussion and analysis of Jaynes's theory from a variety of perspectives such as clinical psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, linguistics, and ancient history.

PDF download

Papers by Marcel Kuijsten

The Evolution of Mental Language in the 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' (Book Chapter)

by Boban Dedovic and Marcel Kuijsten

Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: Interviews with Leading Thinkers on Julian Jaynes’s Theory, Aug 2022

A book chapter concerning mental language in the Homeric epics, in Marcel Kuijsten, ed., 'Convers... more

Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited

Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consc... more Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? How is it that oracles came to influence entire civilizations such as the ancient Greeks? If consciousness arose far back in human evolution, how can it so easily be altered in hypnosis and &quot;possession&quot;? Is modern schizophrenia a vestige of an earlier mentality? These are just some of the difficult questions addressed by Julian Jaynes&#39;s influential and controversial theory of the origin of subjective consciousness or the &quot;modern mind.&quot; This book includes an in-depth biography of Julian Jaynes, essays by Jaynes, and the discussion and analysis of Jaynes&#39;s theory from a variety of perspectives such as clinical psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, linguistics, and ancient history. PDF download

In the decades after the publication of Julian Jaynes’s book, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (1976/1990)

occasional criticisms emerged. In some cases Jaynes responded, but in many cases he did not. Ther... more occasional criticisms emerged. In some cases Jaynes responded, but in many cases he did not. There were probably many reasons for this. Jaynes was at times frustrated by the fact that many of his critics had not read or at least not fully understood his ideas. Per-haps engaging critics was not his personality style. While understandable, in some sense it is unfortunate, as criticisms, if unaddressed, can leave some with the impression that they are valid. I will be taking a more assertive role in countering criticisms and misconceptions. The book Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes’s Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited is an important first step toward that end. The book clarifies and further illuminates many aspects of Jaynes’s theory, extends his ideas to new areas, and counters criticisms.

THE JAYNESIAN-Volume 4, Issue 1

s of recent scholarly articles relevant to Julian Jaynes’s theory. The Consciousness of John’s Go... more

Consciousness and Dreams

In The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes discusses a ... more In The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes discusses a variety of forms of evidence for the transition from a bicameral mentality to consciousness. The study of dreams provides another window through which to examine this transition. By extension, historical changes in the nature of dreams support the idea that consciousness is in a learned process based on language and not biologically innate.

Commentary on Frank S. Robinson's "How Old Is the Self?" Critiques of Julian Jaynes's Theory Refuted

Julian Jaynes Society, 2013

Recently a coin collector named Frank S. Robinson wrote an article titled “Julian Jaynes: How Old... more Recently a coin collector named Frank S. Robinson wrote an article titled “Julian Jaynes: How Old Is The Self?,” published in the magazine Philosophy Now, that contains a large number of egregious misunderstandings and misconceptions about Julian Jaynes’s theory.

As I think I will show, Mr. Robinson clearly did not do his homework before writing this article. Because the article contains so many errors and misconceptions, tackling each one paragraph by paragraph will be easier than responding in essay form. Rather than fully expanding on each argument with all of the related evidence (which would quickly turn this into a book-length project), I will instead refer readers to the original research.

Close-Mindedness and Mysticism in Science: Commentary on John Smythies's Review of Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness

THE JAYNESIAN, 2009

In late 2007, John Smythies, a Cambridge-educated neuroscientist now at the University of Califor... more In late 2007, John Smythies, a Cambridge-educated neuroscientist now at the University of California San Diego’s Center for Brain and Cognition, wrote a mostly negative review of Reflections (Smythies 2007). Smythies’s criticisms are for the most part about Jaynes’s theory in general, rather than the book specifically. I will address these criticisms in some detail here. While I do not expect to persuade Smythies, discussing his wide ranging comments may help clarify certain points of Jaynes’s theory for others, as well as illustrate the persistence of both close-mindedness and “New Age” mysticism in science.

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

How old is consciousness? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? What is the ori... more How old is consciousness? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? What is the origin of god beliefs and religion? Why do people hear voices that command their behavior? These are just a few of the fascinating questions posed by Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes’s influential and controversial theory and discussed in this book.

A treasure trove of provocative ideas, "Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind" explains, extends, clarifies, and presents the latest evidence for Jaynes’s theory in a series of highly engaging interviews with both voice-hearers and leading thinkers on the theory. Topics range from the origin and nature of consciousness; the history, neurology, and experience of hearing voices; sensed presences and imagined “others”; evidence for bicameral mentality in history, diverse cultures, and ancient texts; the nature of hypnosis, dreams, “spirit possession,” and free will; and much more.

Julian Jaynes Society Publications

Publications from the Julian Jaynes Society, including "Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The... more Publications from the Julian Jaynes Society, including "Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The Theories of Julian Jaynes," "The Julian Jaynes Collection," "Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited," "The Minds of the Bible," and "The Jaynesian: The Newsletter of the Julian Jaynes Society."

PDF download

Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind: The Theories of Julian Jaynes

Does consciousness inevitably arise in any sufficiently complex brain? Although widely accepted, ... more Does consciousness inevitably arise in any sufficiently complex brain? Although widely accepted, this view — inherited from Darwin’s theory of evolution — is supported by surprisingly little evidence. Offering an alternate view of the history of the human mind, Julian Jaynes’s ideas challenge our preconceptions of not only the origin of the modern mind, but the origin of gods and religion, the nature of mental illness, and the future potential of consciousness. The tremendous explanatory power of Jaynes’s ideas force us to reevaluate much of what we thought we knew about human history.

"Gods, Voices, and the Bicameral Mind" both explains Julian Jaynes’s theory and explores a wide range of related topics such as the ancient Dark Age, the nature of dreams and the birth of Greek tragedy, poetic inspiration, the significance of hearing voices in both the ancient and modern world, the development of consciousness in children, the transition to consciousness in early Tibet, the relationship of consciousness and metaphorical language, and how Jaynes’s ideas compare to those of other thinkers.

PDF download

The Julian Jaynes Collection

Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes's revolutionary theory on the origin of conscious... more Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes's revolutionary theory on the origin of consciousness or the "modern mind" remains as relevant and thought-provoking as when it was first proposed. Supported by recent discoveries in neuroscience, Jaynes's ideas force us to rethink conventional views of human history and psychology, and have profound implications for many aspects of modern life.

Included in this volume are rare and never before seen articles, lectures, interviews, and in-depth discussions that both clear up misconceptions as well as extend Jaynes's theory into new areas such as the nature of the self, dreams, emotions, art, music, therapy, and the consequences and future of consciousness.

PDF download

Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited

Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consc... more Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? How is it that oracles came to influence entire civilizations such as the ancient Greeks? If consciousness arose far back in human evolution, how can it so easily be altered in hypnosis and "possession"? Is modern schizophrenia a vestige of an earlier mentality? These are just some of the difficult questions addressed by Julian Jaynes's influential theory of the origin of subjective consciousness or the "modern mind." This book includes an in-depth biography of Julian Jaynes, essays by Jaynes, and the discussion and analysis of Jaynes's theory from a variety of perspectives such as clinical psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, linguistics, and ancient history.

PDF download

The Evolution of Mental Language in the 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' (Book Chapter)

by Boban Dedovic and Marcel Kuijsten

Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: Interviews with Leading Thinkers on Julian Jaynes’s Theory, Aug 2022

A book chapter concerning mental language in the Homeric epics, in Marcel Kuijsten, ed., 'Convers... more

Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes's Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited

Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consc... more Why are gods and idols ubiquitous throughout the ancient world? What is the relationship of consciousness and language? How is it that oracles came to influence entire civilizations such as the ancient Greeks? If consciousness arose far back in human evolution, how can it so easily be altered in hypnosis and &quot;possession&quot;? Is modern schizophrenia a vestige of an earlier mentality? These are just some of the difficult questions addressed by Julian Jaynes&#39;s influential and controversial theory of the origin of subjective consciousness or the &quot;modern mind.&quot; This book includes an in-depth biography of Julian Jaynes, essays by Jaynes, and the discussion and analysis of Jaynes&#39;s theory from a variety of perspectives such as clinical psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, linguistics, and ancient history. PDF download

In the decades after the publication of Julian Jaynes’s book, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (1976/1990)

occasional criticisms emerged. In some cases Jaynes responded, but in many cases he did not. Ther... more occasional criticisms emerged. In some cases Jaynes responded, but in many cases he did not. There were probably many reasons for this. Jaynes was at times frustrated by the fact that many of his critics had not read or at least not fully understood his ideas. Per-haps engaging critics was not his personality style. While understandable, in some sense it is unfortunate, as criticisms, if unaddressed, can leave some with the impression that they are valid. I will be taking a more assertive role in countering criticisms and misconceptions. The book Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes’s Bicameral Mind Theory Revisited is an important first step toward that end. The book clarifies and further illuminates many aspects of Jaynes’s theory, extends his ideas to new areas, and counters criticisms.

THE JAYNESIAN-Volume 4, Issue 1

s of recent scholarly articles relevant to Julian Jaynes’s theory. The Consciousness of John’s Go... more

Consciousness and Dreams

In The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes discusses a ... more In The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes discusses a variety of forms of evidence for the transition from a bicameral mentality to consciousness. The study of dreams provides another window through which to examine this transition. By extension, historical changes in the nature of dreams support the idea that consciousness is in a learned process based on language and not biologically innate.

Commentary on Frank S. Robinson's "How Old Is the Self?" Critiques of Julian Jaynes's Theory Refuted

Julian Jaynes Society, 2013

Recently a coin collector named Frank S. Robinson wrote an article titled “Julian Jaynes: How Old... more Recently a coin collector named Frank S. Robinson wrote an article titled “Julian Jaynes: How Old Is The Self?,” published in the magazine Philosophy Now, that contains a large number of egregious misunderstandings and misconceptions about Julian Jaynes’s theory.

As I think I will show, Mr. Robinson clearly did not do his homework before writing this article. Because the article contains so many errors and misconceptions, tackling each one paragraph by paragraph will be easier than responding in essay form. Rather than fully expanding on each argument with all of the related evidence (which would quickly turn this into a book-length project), I will instead refer readers to the original research.

Close-Mindedness and Mysticism in Science: Commentary on John Smythies's Review of Reflections on the Dawn of Consciousness

THE JAYNESIAN, 2009

In late 2007, John Smythies, a Cambridge-educated neuroscientist now at the University of Califor... more In late 2007, John Smythies, a Cambridge-educated neuroscientist now at the University of California San Diego’s Center for Brain and Cognition, wrote a mostly negative review of Reflections (Smythies 2007). Smythies’s criticisms are for the most part about Jaynes’s theory in general, rather than the book specifically. I will address these criticisms in some detail here. While I do not expect to persuade Smythies, discussing his wide ranging comments may help clarify certain points of Jaynes’s theory for others, as well as illustrate the persistence of both close-mindedness and “New Age” mysticism in science.