Julian James and the Bicameral Mind Theory

Julian James and his book 'The Origin of Consciousness and the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind' are discussed. The theory proposes that in ancient civilizations, humans lived among gods and had direct interactions with them. James examines ancient texts and cultural practices, highlighting the transition from a worldview where gods were perceived as real, to a time when interaction with gods became limited and more ritualistic. The theory challenges the assumption that our current state of mind is universal and recognizes the importance of understanding how people in the past experienced and interpreted the world. This exploration of cognition and the malleability of human minds is a key aspect of James' work.