Selects: Thrill to the Stunning Bicameral Mind Hypothesis

The bicameral mind theory, proposed by psychologist Julian Jaynes, posits that human consciousness is a relatively recent evolutionary development rather than an innate biological constant. Prior to this shift, humans functioned as automatons, navigating novel situations through auditory hallucinations perceived as the voices of gods or ancestors. This transition to modern consciousness was driven by the evolution of language, specifically the capacity for metaphor, which enabled subjective introspection and theory of mind. The Late Bronze Age collapse and the proliferation of written records accelerated this process, as the silence of these "divine" voices forced individuals to develop internal dialogue and personal volition. Literary works like Homer’s *Iliad* provide evidence for this hypothesis, as characters consistently act upon external commands rather than internal reflection, reflecting a pre-conscious mental state that preceded the modern subjective experience.