The Future of Consciousness: Julian Jaynes Revisited
Giovanni SALMERI
Department of Literary, Philosophical, and Art History Studies, Tor Vergata University, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Roma, Italy , ItalyAbstract
Interpreted half a century after its formulation, Julian Jaynes’s hypothesis on the origin of consciousness allows a clearer appreciation of some problematic aspects of philosophical reflection on this topic. First, the hypothesis helps shift attention from a less important problem of defining consciousness to a more important one: that of understanding humanness. Second, a historical interpretation of the origin of consciousness enables taking a new perspective on human beings as living creatures. Above all, however, reflection on Jaynes’s theory makes us ask a question he himself did not pose: the question of the possible end of consciousness in the history of humankind.
Keywords:
consciousness, language, education, subjectivityReferences
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Department of Literary, Philosophical, and Art History Studies, Tor Vergata University, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Roma, Italy
