Search found 9 matches

by James Cohn
Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:40 pm
Forum: 1.0. Hypothesis One: Consciousness Based On Language
Topic: Julian Jaynes's Use of the Word 'Consciousness'
Replies: 12
Views: 40408

Re: Jaynes's Use of the Word 'Consciousness'

Quick thoughts: As noted, Jaynes himself had (at one point at least) a distaste for the equation of "consciousness" with "self-awareness." I use the word "introspection" more and more. A dog or an infant can be quite aware, maybe even "self-aware" as confusing...
by James Cohn
Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:59 pm
Forum: 3.0. Hypothesis Three: Dating the Development of Consciousness
Topic: The Book of I Samuel
Replies: 5
Views: 22274

The writer seems to have had an experience much like mine, in encountering Jaynes from within the standpoint of the "Documentary Hypothesis" of the Bible's composition. It’s an engaging intersection of disciplines! The writer writes, about the use of the text of I Samuel to support Jayne...
by James Cohn
Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:55 am
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

I was re-reading and reflecting on these words from an earlier posting by the Moderator: At consciousness conferences even today, speakers often don't seem to recognize the problem of the wide range of definitions of the term "consciousness." I had a teacher who would innovate words to avo...
by James Cohn
Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:33 pm
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

This is a fine quote -- for all sciences, including biblical science. "This question has no answer except in the history of how it came to be asked. There is no answer because words have meaning, not life or persons or the universe itself. Our search for certainty rests in our attempts at under...
by James Cohn
Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:56 am
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

For all who have ever attended any meeting, conference, etc.-- This delightful tenth definition of "god" at dictionary.com:
interjection (used to express disappointment, disbelief, weariness, frustration, annoyance, or the like): God, do we have to listen to this nonsense?
by James Cohn
Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:51 am
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

Quite right. The dilemma of definition is one that haunts us in consciousness-talk and in God-talk. That's why I ultimately substitute (unhappily) "introspection" as a second-best. It is not a synonym for Jaynes's use of consciousness. However, it helps overcome impediments to conversation...
by James Cohn
Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:20 am
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

OK, one might ask, "Why insist on using the word God if you don't believe in a supernatural, interventionist deity?" My reply is, Well, who gave THEM the right to define “God?” There was once a little word, "atom,' referring to a hypothetical unseen object. Richard Feyman said it ...
by James Cohn
Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:33 am
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

Yes, I certainly agree that the creation of much of early religion was the result of "nostalgic anguish" for the lost revelations that were actually hallucinations. An example of such religion is Torah-based (later Talmud-based) Judaism. But there is room among modern religions for non-rev...
by James Cohn
Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:00 am
Forum: 2.4. Hypothesis Two: The Bicameral Mind | Subtopic: Religion & the Bicameral Mind
Topic: Introspection and the Old Testament
Replies: 10
Views: 33105

Introspection and the Old Testament

I'd appreciate any feedback on my article "The Minds of the Bible" on the Publications page.

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