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Similarly, there's evidence that in cultures where hearing voices is considered something spiritual or a gift instead of a serious illness, not only are the vo

by shims 7y ago

Similarly, there's evidence that in cultures where hearing voices is considered something spiritual or a gift instead of a serious illness, not only are the voices more positive, but those who hear them are able to integrate and function in society better.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
amelius 7y ago
Could the existence of such cultures, throughout evolution, be the reason that some hear voices, or have developed other mental illnesses?
- HiroshiSan 7y ago
  That's an interesting theory, in a lot of native cultures, voices (whether it be auditory or in dreams) seem to play a significant role. I've had about 3 experiences happen to me that I don't know how to explain, 2 were what you'd call auditory hallucinations and one was a thought that popped into my head that ended up coming into fruition immediately after.
  - benj111 7y ago
    "one was a thought that popped into my head that ended up coming into fruition immediately after" Isn't that survivorship bias? I presume you've had other thoughts about possible scenarios, and they were presumably wrong? To put it another way. I've experienced deja vu, and rationally I know the thing hasn't happened before, so I don't mention it. But you are mentioning it, suggesting theres more to it?
  - trevelyan 7y ago
    details?
- cr0sh 7y ago
  There's the theory of the so-called "bicameral mind": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralism_(psychology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralism_(psychology)
fmihaila 7y ago
For those interested to explore this subject in more depth, I recommend 'Rethinking Madness' by Paris Williams [1]. The author makes the same point and discusses the evidence for it along with possible explanations. I found the book fascinating. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Madness-Understanding-Treatment-Psychosis/dp/0984986707 https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Madness-Understanding-Trea...
ranie93 7y ago
some additional resources: "The striking difference was that while many of the African and Indian subjects registered predominantly positive experiences with their voices, not one American did. Rather, the U.S. subjects were more likely to report experiences as violent and hateful – and evidence of a sick condition."[0] [0] https://news.stanford.edu/2014/07/16/voices-culture-luhrmann-071614/ https://news.stanford.edu/2014/07/16/voices-culture-luhrmann... https://institute.progress.im/en/content/schizophrenia-across-cultures https://institute.progress.im/en/content/schizophrenia-acros...
fipar 7y ago
In the bicameral mind theory (linked here in another comment[0]) Julian Jaynes proposes the Collective Cognitive Imperative[1], stating that this influences the tone and message of the hallucinations. [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20366183 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20366183 [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_cognitive_imperative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_cognitive_imperativ...

by shims 7y ago

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

amelius 7y ago

Could the existence of such cultures, throughout evolution, be the reason that some hear voices, or have developed other mental illnesses?

HiroshiSan 7y ago
That's an interesting theory, in a lot of native cultures, voices (whether it be auditory or in dreams) seem to play a significant role. I've had about 3 experiences happen to me that I don't know how to explain, 2 were what you'd call auditory hallucinations and one was a thought that popped into my head that ended up coming into fruition immediately after.
- benj111 7y ago
  "one was a thought that popped into my head that ended up coming into fruition immediately after" Isn't that survivorship bias? I presume you've had other thoughts about possible scenarios, and they were presumably wrong? To put it another way. I've experienced deja vu, and rationally I know the thing hasn't happened before, so I don't mention it. But you are mentioning it, suggesting theres more to it?
- trevelyan 7y ago
  details?
cr0sh 7y ago
There's the theory of the so-called "bicameral mind": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralism_(psychology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralism_(psychology)

fmihaila 7y ago

For those interested to explore this subject in more depth, I recommend 'Rethinking Madness' by Paris Williams [1]. The author makes the same point and discusses the evidence for it along with possible explanations. I found the book fascinating. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Madness-Understanding-Treatment-Psychosis/dp/0984986707 https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Madness-Understanding-Trea...

ranie93 7y ago

some additional resources: "The striking difference was that while many of the African and Indian subjects registered predominantly positive experiences with their voices, not one American did. Rather, the U.S. subjects were more likely to report experiences as violent and hateful – and evidence of a sick condition."[0] [0] https://news.stanford.edu/2014/07/16/voices-culture-luhrmann-071614/ https://news.stanford.edu/2014/07/16/voices-culture-luhrmann... https://institute.progress.im/en/content/schizophrenia-across-cultures https://institute.progress.im/en/content/schizophrenia-acros...

fipar 7y ago

In the bicameral mind theory (linked here in another comment[0]) Julian Jaynes proposes the Collective Cognitive Imperative[1], stating that this influences the tone and message of the hallucinations. [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20366183 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20366183 [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_cognitive_imperative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_cognitive_imperativ...