Abstract

This chapter distinguishes consciousness that is built into individual mental states from a more complex notion of same consciousness, which additionally involves relations among several mental states. Regarding the former, the author agrees with other interpreters that Lockean consciousness is not a higher order mental state and cannot be identified with reflection, but she questions the view that Locke restricts consciousness to self-consciousness. Locke’s account of same consciousness has been interpreted in a variety of ways: For instance, it has been suggested that he understands same consciousness in terms of memory, appropriation, duration, or a metaphysical fact. Often these proposals are treated as exclusive rival views, which the author takes to be a mistake. Rather many existing interpretations offer important insights into Locke’s understanding of same consciousness, yet they are incomplete on their own. The chapter proposes that his account of same consciousness is richer than commonly acknowledged and involves multiple aspects.