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Flip to reveal answersConsciousness vs self-consciousness?
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All 8 Flashcards — Self-consciousness
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Question
Consciousness vs self-consciousness?
Answer
Consciousness = having experiences. Self-consciousness = being aware that YOU are the one having them.
Question
Self-consciousness (definition)?
Answer
Being aware of yourself as a self — able to think about your own thoughts.
Question
Locke's definition of a person?
Answer
A thinking being that can 'consider itself as itself', the same thinking thing across different times and places.
Question
Why is self-awareness the mark of a person (Locke)?
Answer
It lets a being treat itself as one continuous 'me' — owning its past and planning its future.
Question
What does self-consciousness unlock?
Answer
Ownership of your choices (praise/blame), planning your future, and deciding to change.
Question
Objection to Locke on self-awareness?
Answer
Newborns and sleeping adults can't consider themselves right now — Locke replies personhood needs the CAPACITY, not constant use.
Question
Is self-consciousness on/off or a matter of degree?
Answer
Maybe degree — some animals show flickers (mirror self-recognition), which matters for animal/AI personhood.
Question
The mirror test hint?
Answer
Chimps and dolphins recognising themselves in a mirror suggests self-awareness may be graded, not simply human-only.
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Topic 1.4 hub
Personhood
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