How can we explain that we can refer to objects through mental acts? And how are we aware of mental acts? René Descartes and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz provide fascinating answers to these two central questions of the philosophy of mind. This study analyzes the conceptions of both authors in detail, compares them, and relates them to contemporary positions. The analyses show that Descartes holds a deflationary conception of consciousness (conscientia). Consciousness is "only" an aspect of intentionality, which constitutes the essential characteristic of the Cartesian mind. The analyses of Leibniz demonstrate that, in comparison to Descartes, he presents a much more complex and demanding conception of the mind, which appears more relevant from today's perspective. The outstanding features of his position are.