Jaynes' Bicameral Mind Theory Featured in HBO's "Westworld"

Discussion of the influence of Jaynes's theory on works of fiction, film, and in popular culture.
Post Reply
Moderator
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:03 pm
Contact:

Jaynes' Bicameral Mind Theory Featured in HBO's "Westworld"

Post by Moderator »

Julian Jaynes's theory will be featured in the new HBO series "Westworld."

Julian Jaynes will be mentioned by name and his theory will be discussed by Anthony Hopkins' character Dr. Robert Ford starting in Episode 3, "The Stray."

The season finale (Episode 10) is even titled "The Bicameral Mind."

Has anyone been watching this series? Let us your thoughts on how Jaynes' theory is portrayed after Episode 3 airs this Sunday.
Moderator
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:03 pm
Contact:

Re: Jaynes' Bicameral Mind Theory Featured in HBO's "Westwor

Post by Moderator »

Here's an interview and recent article on Julian Jaynes's bicameral mind theory and "Westworld":

The Bicameral Mind Explains What's Next for Westworld

Why the Bicameral Mind Theory Is Crucial to Unlocking Westworld
ASD
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon May 05, 2014 10:20 am

Re: Jaynes' Bicameral Mind Theory Featured in HBO's "Westwor

Post by ASD »

Westworld's secret philosophy: What is the Bicameral Mind?

I think the narrator gets it pretty much right except at the end, when he says that the last stage of the breakdown of the bicameral mind is when the person stops thinking of the voice in his head as God. But actually, I think Jaynes said that the person stops hearing the voice in his head. Which leads me to believe that maybe the narrator is confusing Jaynes's auditory hallucinations with the narrative "voice" imagined by all conscious people.
Post Reply

Return to “The Bicameral Mind in Fiction, Film & Popular Culture”