Single Idea 1373

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

Full Idea

As far as any intelligent being can repeat the idea of any past action with the same consciousness it had of it at first, and with the same consciousness it has of any present action; so far it is the same personal self.

Gist of Idea

Identity over time involves remembering actions just as they happened

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.27.10)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.336


A Reaction

Reid's criticism of 'same' (Idea 1368).

Related Idea

Idea 1368 Locke mistakes similarity of a memory to its original event for identity [Reid on Locke]