Lockeʼs Theory of Personal Identity

Abstract

In his discussion of personal identity, Locke uses “consciousness” in three ways. “Consciousness” means “self-consciousness,” “memory” and “the appropriation of past thoughts and actions.” This multiple meaning of “consciousness” makes it difficult to get the clear understanding of his consciousness theory of personal identity. This paper is an attempt to show; firstly, that the principal meaning of “consciousness” is “self-consciousness” in that it does not only accompanies present perceptions but also constitutes memory; secondly, that it is the consciousness as memory that what Locke says appropriates past actions. Through this attempt, it becomes possible to distinguish the central and theoretical part from the marginal and practical part in Lockeʼs theory of personal identity.