Consciousness in Locke

Shelley Weinberg argues that the idea of consciousness as a form of non-evaluative self-awareness helps solve some of the thorniest issues in Locke's philosophy: in his philosophical psychology, and his theories of knowledge, personal identity, and moral agency. The model of consciousness set forth here binds these key issues with a common thread.

"Unlike any other yet of its kind, this book argues that consciousness as a form of non-evaluative self-awareness runs through and helps to solve some of the thorniest issues in Locke's philosophy: in his philosophical psychology and in his theories of knowledge, personal identity, and moral agency. Central to the account is that perceptions of ideas are complex mental states wherein consciousness is a constituent. Such an interpretation answers charges of inconsistency in Locke's model of the mind and lends coherence to a puzzling aspect of Locke's theory of knowledge: how we know individual things (particular ideas, ourselves, and external objects) when knowledge is defined as the perception of an agreement, or relation, of ideas. In each case, consciousness helps to forge the relation, resulting in a structurally integrated account of our knowledge of particulars fully consistent with the general definition. This model also explains how we achieve the unity of consciousness with past and future selves necessary for Locke's accounts of moral responsibility and moral motivation. And with help from other of his metaphysical commitments, consciousness so interpreted allows Locke's theory of personal identity to resist well-known accusations of circularity, failure of transitivity, and insufficiency for his theological and moral concerns. Although virtually every Locke scholar writes on at least some of these topics, the model of consciousness set forth here provides for an analysis of all of these issues as bound together by a common thread."--Provided by publisher.

Consciousness in the seventeenth century -- Consciousness in Locke's philosophical psychology -- Consciosness in Locke's theory of knowledge -- Consciousness in Locke's theory of personal identity -- Consciousness and moral motivation.

Cover ; Consciousness in Locke; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgments; Preface; 1: Consciousness in the Seventeenth Century; 1.1 'Consciousness' and 'Conscience'; 1.2 Descartes; 1.3 Malebranche and Arnauld; 1.4 Cudworth; 1.5 Locke's Development (Parallels to Locke); 2: Consciousness in Locke's Philosophical Psychology; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Consciousness is Identical to Perception in General; 2.2.1 Consciousness is identical to reflection; 2.2.2 Consciousness is a source of ideas; 2.3 Consciousness is a Self-Referential Constituent of Ordinary Perception.

2.3.1 An objection and replies2.4 The Relation Consciousness Bears to Perception; 2.5 Consciousness in Memory, Sensitive Knowledge, Personal Identity, and the Cogito; 2.6 Conclusion; 3: Consciousness in Locke's Theory of Knowledge; PART I: Knowing our own Ideas (and Ourselves); 3.I.1 Lockean Representation; 3.I.2 Perceptions of Ideas Convey Knowledge; 3.I.3 Knowledge of an Idea as Prop…