A couple semesters ago, I had a class in which I was assigned to write a research paper about some aspect of the Bible's Old Testament. I tossed around the idea of writing about Julian Jaynes's theory and its implications for the earliest books of the Bible, but I couldn't come up with anything to say that Jaynes hadn't already said (except 'man, wouldn't that be cool.') I'm skeptical, especially since there's not really any way to prove Jaynes right or wrong. Still, wouldn't it be cool?
As far as I know, there's no evidence that our modern brain is fundamentally different from that of the ancient Greeks. Why should we expect it to work so differently, then? I've heard of neuroplasticity ("the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life"), and everyone knows that the internet is shortening our attention span, but what Jaynes suggests... is that back then everyone was schizophrenic. Even assuming that a society where everyone is hallucinating all the time could be functional (I have my doubts), schizophrenia is a disease of the brain, not the mind. You can't cure schizophrenics by training them in the use of metaphors. I hate to be that guy, but I think the phrase "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" is relevant here. If I remember correctly (it's been a while since I read the book and I didn't finish it) the whole basis for his argument is a certain interpretation of consciousness applied to literary analysis of ancient poems. Kind of shaky for a hypothesis that has such profound implications, if you ask me.
And there's not much evidence that it's exactly the same. Cure is a strong, and probably inappropriate word when it comes to schizophrenia. I'll have to look up the studies, but in societies that practice more person-centered medicine Schizophrenia outcomes are usually WAYYYYY better than outcomes in the US/UK/WEST especially in the long term. Teaching someone a symbol-structure that enables them to live with their disease and function more normally/independently as well as increasing their quality of life and happiness seems like a far better 'cure' than giving them enough sedatives and antipsychotics that they can barely stay awake.As far as I know, there's no evidence that our modern brain is fundamentally different from that of the ancient Greeks.
You can't cure schizophrenics by training them in the use of metaphors.
I think the phrase "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" is relevant here.
It most certainly is, and you're completely correct in bringing it up. I like this theory primarily because of the shift in perspective it forces, and how much more interesting the world would be if there were any way to prove it. That's not to say I believe it, but I do believe that it merits discussion.