Single Idea 1363

[catalogued under 16. Persons / D. Continuity of the Self / 2. Mental Continuity / a. Memory is Self]

Full Idea

Memory is a different experience from consciousness, and Locke should not link them together, but should admit that his theory depends on memory.

Gist of Idea

Locke's theory confusingly tries to unite consciousness and memory

Source

comment on John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.27.10) by Thomas Reid - Essays on Intellectual Powers 3: Memory Ch 6

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Perry,John [University of California 1975], p.115


A Reaction

Interpreters of Locke over-emphasise memory. He thought that, effectively, a person IS a consciousness, and only got interested in memory as a way of extending consciousness across time. Then the epistemology of memory got him into trouble.