Freud: Determinism Is Real, But We Have Some Control

A black and white sketch of Sigmund Freud illustrates Freud's determinism philosophy

How much control do you truly have over your thoughts and actions? What happens when your unconscious mind influences decisions you believe you’re making consciously? For Sigmund Freud, determinism was an inescapable reality. The concept seemed to fit well with his ideas about the unconscious mind. But, he also believed that we can gain some control over our lives through understanding the hidden influences of unconscious forces. Keep reading to discover how the relationship between your conscious and unconscious mind might be more complex—and more fascinating—than you realize.

Westworld & the Bicameral Mind: How the Theory Comes to Life

The Westworld logo illustrates Westworld and the bicameral mind

What if human consciousness wasn’t always part of our mental makeup? How did ancient humans experience their minds before developing self-awareness as we know it today? In HBO’s Westworld, the bicameral mind theory comes to life. This concept, laid out in Julian Jaynes’s book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, suggests that consciousness evolved from an earlier mental state. Keep reading to learn how Westworld illustrates Jaynes’s revolutionary ideas about consciousness.

Narratization: How Our Minds Write Storylines (Julian Jaynes)

An open storybook, clouds, and a silhouette of a girl's head illustrates narratization

What role does narratization play in the development of human consciousness? How does the ability to create coherent stories from our experiences separate conscious beings from non-conscious ones? In his book, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes explores how consciousness emerged. He identifies “narratization”—our ability to string experiences into coherent stories—as a fundamental component of consciousness that helps us make sense of our reality. Read more to examine this fascinating concept through the lens of both evolutionary history and modern interpretations.

Unconscious Processing: 2 Ways It Helps Us Survive & Thrive

A person driving a car and talking to another person in the car illustrates unconscious processing

How does your unconscious mind influence your daily life? What evolutionary advantages do these unseen mental processes provide? In his book Subliminal, Leonard Mlodinow reveals how unconscious processing drives most of our brain activity. He explains that this gives rise to a couple of abilities that helped our ancestors survive and continue to shape our experiences today. Keep reading to discover how your brain’s hidden operations might be making the difference between life and death without you even realizing it.

The Power of Music Therapy for Mental Health Disorders

A young woman sitting by a window looking relaxed and listening to music for her mental health

In what ways can music improve mental health incomes? What specific mental health disorders are most affected by music? According to Daniel J. Levitin, the author of I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, music can improve mental health outcomes in two significant ways. It can also improve disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and trauma. Keep reading for insight into the benefits of music therapy for mental health disorders.

Social Processing With the Unconscious Mind (Leonard Mlodinow)

A woman listening to a man at a party illustrates social processing

Have you ever wondered how you instantly know whether someone is genuinely happy to see you? What’s happening in your brain when you pick up on unspoken tension in a room? In Subliminal, Leonard Mlodinow explores how our unconscious mind handles social processing without our awareness. Your brain constantly analyzes facial expressions, body language, and vocal tones, helping you navigate complex social situations effortlessly. Keep reading to discover how your unconscious mind shapes your social world in ways you’ve never imagined.

Conscious Experience Reshaped What It Means to Be Human

A woman's head depicted like clouds illustrates conscious experience

How did humans develop the ability to reflect on their past and imagine their future? What would life be like if you couldn’t remember personal experiences or think about your own feelings? Julian Jaynes explores how the emergence of consciousness completely changed how humans experience the world. This mental shift gave our ancestors new cognitive abilities, including introspection and self-reflection, while also potentially creating a sense of separation from the world around them. Continue reading to understand how the rise of conscious experience reshaped what it means to be human.

How Perceptions Are Formed With the Unconscious Mind

A woman taking a bite of a chocolate bar illustrates how perceptions are formed

How are perceptions formed? Is your brain really showing you the world as it actually exists? What happens in the gap between what your senses detect and what you consciously experience? In Subliminal, Leonard Mlodinow reveals how perceptions are formed through unconscious processes that fill in gaps and filter information. Your brain doesn’t simply record reality—it actively constructs it by making inferences, combining sensory data, and drawing on past experiences. Keep reading to discover why you’ve never noticed your own blind spots and how your expectations might be changing the taste of your chocolate.

How Are Emotions Created? The Role of the Unconscious Mind

A jigsaw puzzle of various feelings and facial expressions illustrates how emotions are created

How are emotions created? Why can the same physical sensation feel like anxiety in one situation but excitement in another? What happens when our bodies experience emotions without us knowing why? Leonard Mlodinow challenges our basic understanding of feelings, showing how our unconscious mind actively constructs emotions. His research on how emotions are created reveals that our interpretation of physical sensations plays a key role in determining whether we feel fear, joy, or something else entirely. Read more to learn about the invisible processes that create your emotional life.

7 Elements of Consciousness & How They Shape Everyday Life

A painting of a woman's head with artistic swirls around it illustrates elements of consciousness

What exactly makes us conscious beings? How did humans develop the mental tools that allow us to think abstractly, reflect on our inner lives, and imagine the future? In his book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes suggests that consciousness isn’t biologically hardwired but culturally learned. He identifies seven core elements of consciousness, including metaphorical language and an internal “mind-space.” Keep reading to learn about these fascinating elements of consciousness and discover how they shape our everyday experience of being human.