Key Arguments

• Locke introduces retention as a separate power that follows perception in the order of cognition: 'The next faculty of the mind, whereby it makes a further progress towards knowledge, is that which I call retention; or the keeping of those simple ideas which from sensation or reflection it hath received.'
• He distinguishes two kinds of retention: 'This is done two ways. First, by keeping the idea which is brought into it, for some time actually in view, which is called contemplation. 2. Memory. The other way of retention is, the power to revive again in our minds those ideas which, after imprinting, have disappeared, or have been as it were laid aside out of sight.'
• By describing both the holding of present ideas and the revival of past ones under the heading of 'retention', Locke signals a unified explanatory role for this faculty in enabling the mind to go beyond momentary perception towards knowledge.

Source Quotes

Contemplation. The next faculty of the mind, whereby it makes a further progress towards knowledge, is that which I call retention; or the keeping of those simple ideas which from sensation or reflection it hath received. This is done two ways.

The next faculty of the mind, whereby it makes a further progress towards knowledge, is that which I call retention; or the keeping of those simple ideas which from sensation or reflection it hath received. This is done two ways. First, by keeping the idea which is brought into it, for some time actually in view, which is called contemplation.

This is done two ways. First, by keeping the idea which is brought into it, for some time actually in view, which is called contemplation. 2.

Memory. The other way of retention is, the power to revive again in our minds those ideas which, after imprinting, have disappeared, or have been as it were laid aside out of sight. And thus we do, when we conceive heat or light, yellow or sweet — the object being removed.

Key Concepts

• The next faculty of the mind, whereby it makes a further progress towards knowledge, is that which I call retention; or the keeping of those simple ideas which from sensation or reflection it hath received.
• This is done two ways.
• First, by keeping the idea which is brought into it, for some time actually in view, which is called contemplation.
• The other way of retention is, the power to revive again in our minds those ideas which, after imprinting, have disappeared, or have been as it were laid aside out of sight.

Context

Book II, chapter X, opening sections 1–2, where Locke introduces 'retention' and distinguishes its two modes, contemplation and memory.