Full Idea
If there were temporal gaps in the consciousness of disembodied spirits, the occurrences of memory-experiences would not be sufficient to bridge them.
Gist of Idea
Temporal gaps in the consciousness of a spirit could not be bridged by memories
Source
A.J. Ayer (The Central Questions of Philosophy [1973], §VI.C)
Book Reference
Ayer,A.J.: 'The Central Questions of Philosophy' [Penguin 1976], p.125
A Reaction
Ayer is very sympathetic to the idea that the body is a key ingredient in personal identity. Without a body, there would be no criteria at all for the continuity of a spirit which lost consciousness for a while, since consciousness is all it is.