First, modern consciousness refers to a way of thinking that people have a modern understanding, mastery and even application of society, politics, science and culture. With the development of society, the connotation of modern consciousness is constantly changing. The concept of modern consciousness is not a suspended concept, but a developing concept.

Secondly, modern consciousness refers to the consciousness possessed by modern people, which is the product of modern science and technology and social development, and the result of modern people's rational reflection on modern social life.

Third, modern consciousness refers to the consciousness of standing at the forefront of the times, examining past achievements with scientific spirit and guiding researchers in current research. Modern consciousness is a diachronic concept, which is not exclusive to scholars living in the 1990s. Every era has its own modern consciousness in a specific period.

Fourthly, modern consciousness refers to people's reflection on modern social phenomena, including self-study, innovation, problems, subjectivity, cooperation, information, morality, legal system, environmental protection and application.