Common sense - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Common sense, often alluded to but seldom precisely defined, represents a baseline of practical judgment concerning everyday matters, held by most people. It is the seemingly inherent ability to perceive, understand, and reason in a reasonable way, yet its definition proves as elusive as it is universally invoked, and it should not be confused with philosophy though philosophy employs it. Alternative notions, such as "horse sense" or "street smarts," hint at its pragmatic nature, although such terms carry connotations absent from common sense itself.
References to qualities akin to common sense appear throughout the history of ideas, perhaps most recognizably in Aristotle's discussion of phronesis in the Nicomachean Ethics. Phronesis is often translated as "practical wisdom". It speaks to a capacity for prudence and sound judgment in navigating the complexities of human affairs. While not a direct equivalent, phronesis shares an emphasis on context-sensitive reason and experience-based understanding that resonates with aspects of common sense. In the realm of logic, valid reasoning can be contrasted by the irrational, that is, a lack of common sense. Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet, Common Sense, published in January 1776, galvanized public opinion in favor of American independence. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions with Great Britain, Paine articulated arguments for self-governance. The pamphlet was framed not in abstract philosophical principles, but in terms readily accessible to the common populace. Paine argued that it was simply "common sense" for the colonies to break free from what he portrayed as the tyranny and illogical rule of the monarchy.
Interpretations of common sense have shifted with intellectual movements. The Scottish Enlightenment, led by figures like Thomas Reid, championed common sense as a foundational aspect of human cognition, countering the skepticism of philosophers like David Hume. Reid argued that certain beliefs are immediately and irresistibly evident. This provides a secure basis for knowledge and action. This contrasts with philosophical arguments rooted in pure reason though it does not exclude the latter. However, what constitutes "common sense" varies widely across cultures and historical periods, revealing its inherent subjectivity. The Monty Hall problem, a counter-intuitive probability puzzle, illustrates how easily even educated individuals can defy common sense reasoning. Similarly, cognitive biases such as the availability heuristic, expose systematic errors in judgment that undermine rational thinking.
The legacy of common sense is complex and multifaceted. While often lauded as a virtue, it has also been criticized as a tool for reinforcing existing power structures and suppressing dissenting voices through virtue signaling. Furthermore, what might appear as common sense in one context could lead to disastrous consequences in another, raising critical questions about its reliability. Is common sense a reliable guide to truth and morality, or a collection of biases masquerading as wisdom?