Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton
Wilson
Prometheus Aka Forbidden Info
Imagine trying to make sense of an amalgam of Timothy Learys eight
neurological circuits, G.I. Gurdjieffs self-observation exercises, Alfred
Korzybskis general semantics, Aleister Crowleys magical theorems, and
the several disciplines of Yoga; not to mention Christian Science, relativity,
quantum mechanics, and many other approaches to understanding the
world around us! That is exactly what Robert Anton Wilson does in
Prometheus Rising. In short, this is a book about how the human mind
works and what you can do to make the most of yours.
Personal Review: Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson
Prometheus Rising is primarily a detailed account of Timothy Leary's 8-
circuit model of consciousness. First, let me answer the most inevitable
question, "What do you mean by 'circuits'?" Leary's model is a functional
theory of consciousness, rather than an ontological theory. It does not
answer the question, "What IS consciousness?" because, as every

cognitive scientist will tell you, that is really not the question we should be
asking. The relevant question is, "What does consciousness do?" or "What
is the function of consciousness?" The 8-circuit model is simply a
metaphor for the 8 functions of our brains.
Strangely, Robert Anton Wilson has written a better account of the 8-circuit
model than Leary wrote for his own theory. Wilson has made personal
revisions to the theory (such as switching the order of the 6th and 7th
circuits in Leary's model), so presumably he has adopted it as his own
theory as well. This is no problem because he demonstrates a mastery
over the subject that no one else has been able to replicate.
I particularly enjoyed Wilson's approach to demonstrating each of the 8
functions of the human brain. He gives classic examples of human
behavior which are easily explained by the 8-circuit model. For example,
the reason why humans have created politics is because of the Second
Emotional-Territorial Circuit. This circuit is responsible for social
hierarchies, and in wild animals (and "domesticated primates" as Wilson
calls humans) it is used to establish positions of Authority and positions of
Submission. It is also used to mark territory. As Wilson put it, "Animals
mark their territory with excretions. Humans mark their territory with ink
excretions on paper." This combination of social science, natural science,
and humor I found to be incredibly effective.
Other theories presented in the book include the Leary Interpersonal Grid,
the imprint theory, and the theory of reality-tunnels. That last one in
particular is essential in Wilson's overall philosophy of Subjectivism, or as
he calls it, "neurological relativism." The thesis of neurological relativism is
that every brain receives and organizes information differently, and it never
receives information directly from the external environment. Therefore,
every brain creates a different aspect of reality, and no brain has the
correct version of reality.
There is also a message here, and it is in the title of the book. Wilson
explains his position as a futurist, immortalist, and cosmic optimist. The
message is that humans are still evolving. Some people, who still operate
primarily on the antique circuits (I through IV), are trying to stop our
evolution. But these reactionaries cannot hold their grip forever, and they
are quickly losing their grip because information is traveling faster with
every passing moment. With every new generation, the human species is
letting go of its past dogmas and moving closer to our remaining
evolutionary stages.
The BEST feature of the book is that it contains exercises at the end of
every chapter which encourage you to challenge everything in the book.
To me, that is the difference between Wilson and every other author or
intellectual in the world. Wilson knows that he does not know reality, that
he only knows a reality-tunnel, and he wants to get everybody constantly
challenging his views from other reality-tunnels rather than merely

accepting what he says. To me, this is what makes Wilson superior to
most other intellectuals today or from any time period.
I will end with a quote from Wilson:
"We are all giants, raised by pygmies, who have learned to walk with a
perpetual mental crouch."
Wilson's message is for us to abandon this learned crouch, stand tall, and
tower above our ancestors. Risen from entropy, empowered by
information, we will spread our collective wings as Prometheus Rising!
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