Objective Definition of "Common Sense"
Step 1: Reduce the concept to its perceptual-level roots and basic fundamental axioms, lemmas, and general principles.
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Perceptual-level roots:
Observations of people making sound judgments in everyday situations based on practical experience and understanding. Examples include avoiding obvious dangers, solving simple problems, or following intuitive reasoning.- Qualities: Rationality, practicality, self-evident understanding.
- Objects: Individuals capable of reasoning and observation.
- Actions: Judging, deciding, reasoning.
- Events: Situations requiring practical decisions or problem-solving.
- Relationships: Between human reasoning and the external reality of the world.
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Basic Fundamental Axioms:
- Existence: Reality exists, and humans interact with it.
- Identity: Things are what they are; reality has a specific, knowable nature.
- Consciousness: Humans have the capacity to perceive, think, and reason.
- Causality: Effects arise from causes, and humans use this principle to make practical decisions.
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General Principles:
- Humans rely on reason to navigate reality.
- Practical experience aids in forming judgments that are efficient and intuitive.
- "Common sense" is context-dependent but arises from universal rational principles.
Step 2: Identify the intermediate steps and intermediate principles necessary to reconstitute the concept.
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Intermediate Steps:
- Recognize that "common sense" emerges from the integration of perceptual observations and rational judgment.
- Understand that this form of reasoning is not specialized or technical but applies to practical, everyday situations.
- Acknowledge that "common sense" relies on shared human experiences and the ability to identify self-evident truths.
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Intermediate Principles:
- "Common sense" involves the logical application of basic reasoning to practical problems.
- It assumes a baseline level of knowledge and awareness available to most people.
- It is distinct from specialized knowledge or expertise but complements them in practical contexts.
Step 3: Use reason to identify the measurable essential characteristics, distinguishing characteristics, and conceptual common denominators.
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Essential Characteristics:
- The ability to make sound, practical judgments based on rational observation and understanding.
- Reliance on general, intuitive reasoning rather than technical or specialized knowledge.
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Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Applies to everyday situations rather than complex, abstract problems.
- Involves self-evident truths and practical reasoning that most people can agree upon.
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Conceptual Common Denominators:
- Shared human capacity for reasoning and observation.
- Practical application of knowledge to navigate reality effectively.
Step 4: Define the concept in terms of genus and differentia, including its essential characteristics, distinguishing characteristics, and conceptual common denominators.
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Genus:
"Common sense" is a form of practical reasoning. -
Differentia:
It is characterized by its reliance on general, intuitive understanding and self-evident truths rather than specialized or technical expertise. -
Definition:
Common sense is the ability to make sound, practical judgments based on general, intuitive reasoning and self-evident truths, applicable to everyday situations and shared by most individuals.
Criteria for an Objective Definition:
- Adherence to Reality: The definition must be based on facts, perceptual observations, and rational principles that align with reality.
- Non-Contradiction: The definition must not contain contradictions.
- Universality: The definition must apply universally to all instances of the concept.
- Precision: The definition must identify the concept's genus (category) and differentia (distinguishing features) clearly and objectively.
- Exclusion of Invalid Concepts: The definition must eliminate delusions, pseudo-concepts, and subjective whims.
Does the definition meet the criteria for an objective definition?
Yes, this definition meets the criteria for an objective definition. It is rooted in perceptual reality, adheres to logical axioms, and clearly identifies the genus and differentia of the concept.
Is the definition valid?
Yes, the definition is valid as it captures the essence of "common sense" without contradictions or reliance on subjective whims.
Is it general and universal?
Yes, the definition is general and universal, as it applies to all instances of common sense across contexts, cultures, and individuals capable of rational thought.
Final Objective Definition:
Common sense is the ability to make sound, practical judgments based on general, intuitive reasoning and self-evident truths, applicable to everyday situations and shared by most individuals.
In addition:
Expanded Understanding of "Common Sense"
1. Why is Common Sense Important?
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Survival and Practicality:
Common sense plays a fundamental role in our ability to navigate the world and make decisions that are essential for survival and social functioning. It allows individuals to respond effectively to immediate and practical challenges without requiring specialized knowledge.- Example: If it is raining outside, common sense suggests using an umbrella or seeking shelter.
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Efficiency in Thinking:
Common sense simplifies decision-making by relying on intuitive reasoning based on prior experience and observation. It avoids unnecessary complexity in routine situations.- Example: If a stove is hot, common sense tells us not to touch it.
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Social Cohesion:
Common sense often reflects shared values, experiences, and understandings within a culture or society. It helps individuals connect and cooperate by relying on mutual intuitions about what is reasonable or appropriate.- Example: Holding the door open for someone behind you is a common-sense courtesy in many cultures.
2. The Relationship Between Common Sense and Rationality
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Common Sense vs. Formal Logic:
While formal logic and scientific reasoning demand rigorous analysis and validation, common sense operates on a more immediate, heuristic level. It relies on basic cause-and-effect relationships and observable patterns.- Example: Common sense suggests that a strong wind might knock over a lightweight object, even without calculating the exact physics of the situation.
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Complementary Nature:
Common sense is not opposed to rationality but rather a subset or application of it. It provides a foundation for more advanced reasoning and serves as a "default" mode of thinking when detailed analysis is not necessary or feasible.
3. The Limits of Common Sense
While common sense is valuable, it is not infallible. Its limitations include:
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Subjectivity and Context Dependence:
What is considered "common sense" can vary between cultures, societies, and individuals due to differences in experiences, norms, and values.- Example: In some cultures, it is common sense to remove shoes before entering a home, while in others, this may not be expected.
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Oversimplification:
Common sense can sometimes lead to incorrect conclusions when applied to complex or unfamiliar situations. It relies on intuitive reasoning, which may not account for all relevant factors.- Example: Common sense might suggest that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones, which was disproven by Galileo's experiments.
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Resistance to Change:
Because common sense is rooted in tradition and shared experience, it can sometimes resist new or unconventional ideas, even when those ideas are supported by evidence.- Example: Early scientific discoveries, such as the Earth orbiting the Sun, were initially dismissed as counterintuitive to the "common sense" of the time.
4. How Common Sense Develops
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Observation and Experience:
Common sense emerges from repeated interactions with the physical and social world. Through trial and error, individuals learn to identify patterns and causal relationships.- Example: A child learns that ice is slippery after falling on it.
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Cultural and Social Influences:
Individuals internalize common-sense norms and practices through socialization within their communities. These norms are often transmitted through language, customs, and shared values.- Example: Greeting someone with a handshake is common sense in some cultures, but not in others.
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Biological Basis:
Human cognition is wired for pattern recognition and basic cause-and-effect reasoning, which underpins common sense. These cognitive abilities are evolutionary adaptations that enhance survival.
5. Distinguishing "Common Sense" from Related Concepts
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Common Sense vs. Intuition:
Intuition refers to immediate understanding without conscious reasoning, often based on subconscious pattern recognition. Common sense, while related, involves a more deliberate application of practical reasoning to familiar situations.- Example: Intuition might lead you to sense danger in a dark alley, while common sense tells you to avoid the alley in the first place.
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Common Sense vs. Intelligence:
Intelligence encompasses a broader range of cognitive abilities, including abstract thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Common sense is a specific manifestation of intelligence applied to practical, everyday matters.- Example: A person might excel at solving complex mathematical problems (intelligence) but lack the common sense to avoid walking into traffic while distracted by their phone.
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Common Sense vs. Wisdom:
Wisdom involves the application of knowledge and experience to make sound judgments, often considering long-term consequences and moral principles. Common sense is more immediate and context-specific.- Example: Wisdom advises saving for retirement, while common sense tells you not to spend money you don't have.
Broader Implications of "Common Sense"
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Philosophical Perspective:
Philosophers like Aristotle and Thomas Reid have discussed common sense as a fundamental aspect of human reasoning. Reid, in particular, argued that common sense provides the foundation for all philosophical inquiry by grounding abstract concepts in practical experience. -
Scientific Perspective:
While common sense can sometimes conflict with scientific discoveries, it also plays a role in forming hypotheses and interpreting results. For example, observing that plants grow toward sunlight (common sense) can lead to scientific exploration of photosynthesis. -
Economic and Political Perspective:
The concept of "common sense" is often invoked in political and economic discussions to appeal to practical reasoning and shared values. However, it can also be misused as a rhetorical device to oversimplify complex issues.
Final Thoughts on the Definition
The definition of common sense as "the ability to make sound, practical judgments based on general, intuitive reasoning and self-evident truths, applicable to everyday situations and shared by most individuals" holds up well under scrutiny. It captures the essence of the term while acknowledging its reliance on universal human reasoning and shared experiences.
However, it is important to recognize that common sense is not a substitute for critical thinking, specialized knowledge, or evidence-based reasoning. Instead, it serves as a practical tool for navigating routine situations, grounded in the shared reality of human existence.
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