What is the etymological origin of the term "common sense"?

The term "common sense" originates from the Latin phrase sensus communis, which translates to knowledge, judgment, and taste that is widely shared and typically accepted without extensive reflection or argument.

What are the two primary ways "common sense" has been used in philosophical and scientific contexts since the Age of Enlightenment?

Since the Age of Enlightenment, "common sense" has been used both approvingly, as a standard for good taste and sound judgment, and disapprovingly, equating it with conventional wisdom, prejudice, and superstition.

What ancient Greek term is related to the Latin sensus communis?

The ancient Greek term related to the Latin sensus communis is koinē aisthēsis.

Who is credited as the first philosopher to discuss the concept of "common sense"?

Aristotle is credited as the first philosopher known to have discussed "common sense."

According to Aristotle, what was the function of the "common sense" faculty?

Aristotle described the "common sense" as the faculty through which animals, including humans, process various sense perceptions, memories, and imagination to form basic judgments about particular objects.

How did Aristotle distinguish between "specific" and "common" perceptibles?

Aristotle distinguished between "specific perceptibles," which are perceived by only one sense (e.g., color by sight), and "common perceptibles," which are properties shared by multiple senses and perceived by the common sense faculty, such as motion, shape, and size.

What did Aristotle mean by "common perceptibles" (ta koina)?

Common perceptibles (ta koina) referred to shared or common aspects of things, such as their unity, specific shape, and size, which are distinct from the specific qualities perceived by individual senses.

In Aristotle's philosophy, what is the relationship between the common sense and consciousness?

Aristotle suggested that the common sense is the origin of a type of consciousness, making individuals aware of having sensations at all.

How did Aristotle's concept of the soul differ from Plato's regarding perception and reason?

Aristotle introduced a "common sense" faculty that integrated sensory input, distinct from both individual senses and pure rational thought, whereas Plato's Socrates suggested that recognizing common aspects was an active thinking process in the rational soul, not a sense at all.

What specific passage in Aristotle's De Anima is central to the discussion of "common sense"?

The passage in Book III, chapter 1 of Aristotle's De Anima, specifically around line 425a27, is central to the discussion of "common sense" (koinē aisthēsis).

How did Aristotle view the relationship between the common sense faculty and the imaginative faculty (phantasía)?

Aristotle suggested that the common sense and the imaginative faculty work together, and they may even be the same, enabling perception of time and receiving physical picture imprints that become memories.

What challenges exist in interpreting Aristotle's concept of common sense?

Interpreting Aristotle's concept of common sense is challenging due to a lack of consensus on its precise meaning, whether it was a standardized technical term, and the unclear relationship between common sense, individual senses, and imagination.

What term did Aristotle occasionally use for the common sense faculty, and what does it signify?

Aristotle occasionally called the common sense faculty prōton aisthētikón, which literally means 'first of the senses,' particularly when referring to the higher-order common sense that includes imagination.

How did medieval commentators like Alexander of Aphrodisias and Avicenna differ in their views on the common sense and imagination?

While early commentators like Alexander of Aphrodisias and Al-Farabi considered the common sense and imagination distinct, Avicenna emphasized their link, influencing later philosophers.

What were the "five wits" recognized in the Middle Ages, and how did they relate to the external senses?

In the Middle Ages, the "five wits" (common sense, imagination, fantasy, vis aestimativa, and memory) were recognized as internal senses that complemented the five external senses.

How did the Latin term sensus communis evolve in meaning within the Roman Empire compared to its Greek origin?

While sensus communis is the Latin translation of the Greek koinē aisthēsis, in the Roman Empire, it took on a distinct ethical dimension, influenced by Stoic philosophy, referring to a natural sensitivity for other humans and the community.

What Stoic Greek terms, related to "common," influenced the Roman understanding of sensus communis?

Stoic Greek terms like koinos nous (common mind/reason), koinē ennoia (common conception), and koinonōmosýnē (fellowship/community) influenced the Roman understanding of sensus communis.

How did C.S. Lewis interpret the Stoic term koinos nous in relation to modern "common sense"?

C.S. Lewis believed the Stoic term koinos nous was close to the modern English meaning of "common sense," referring to the elementary mental outfit of a normal person, akin to basic intelligence.

According to Marcus Aurelius, what did koinonōmosýnē represent?

Marcus Aurelius used koinonōmosýnē to refer to a sense of fellowship or community, which influenced the Roman understanding of sensus communis as public spirit.

How did Cicero use the term communis sensus in his rhetorical works?

Cicero used communis sensus in his rhetorical works, such as De Oratore, to refer to the "sense of the community," emphasizing the importance of widely approved language and usage in oratory.

What did the Roman concept of communis sensus signify beyond just sensory perception?

Beyond sensory perception, the Roman communis sensus signified pre-rational, widely shared human beliefs and a sensibility for others and the community, often aligning with the concept of humanitas.

How did René Descartes' view on common sense differ from Aristotle's?

Descartes accepted a concept similar to Aristotle's common sense, locating it in the pineal gland, but viewed it as indistinct and insufficient for rigorous understanding, advocating for a methodical, mathematical approach instead.

What was Descartes' proposed location for the faculty of common sense?

Descartes proposed that the faculty of common sense was located in the pineal gland.

Which philosophers, influenced by or contemporaries of Descartes, rejected the Aristotelian concept of common sense as a distinct faculty?

Philosophers like Pierre Gassendi and Thomas Hobbes rejected explanations involving anything other than matter and motion, moving beyond Descartes in their rejection of the Aristotelian common sense faculty.

How did Descartes' use of the French term bon sens influence the modern understanding of common sense?

Descartes' use of bon sens (good sense) in his Discourse on Method popularized the meaning of common sense as practical judgment, which eventually overshadowed the more technical Aristotelian meaning of sensus communis.

What two meanings did Descartes attribute to bon sens?

Descartes attributed two meanings to bon sens: first, the basic, widely shared ability to distinguish true from false (also called raison or reason), and second, wisdom or the perfected version of this ability.

How did Enlightenment thinkers like Francis Bacon approach scientific methodology differently from Descartes in relation to common sense?

Francis Bacon, unlike Descartes, advocated for a science based on experience and induction, viewing common sense perceptions as an acceptable starting point, whereas Descartes was skeptical of common sense and favored a rigorous, mathematical method.

What were Francis Bacon's "idols of the mind," and how did they relate to common sense?

Bacon's "idols of the mind" were biases that distorted human thinking. He believed that while normal human thinking was prone to believing lies, a methodical approach starting from common sense perceptions was valid for scientific inquiry.

How did the concept of "common sense" become associated with modernity during the Enlightenment?

During the Enlightenment, references to "common sense" became positive and associated with modernity, particularly through the influence of thinkers like Bacon, contrasting with negative views of metaphysics tied to the Ancien Régime.

What ethical dimension did thinkers like Shaftesbury and Hutcheson add to the concept of common sense?

Shaftesbury and Hutcheson emphasized a Roman-inspired understanding of common sense, linking it to good taste, public spirit, and "moral sentiment" or a "publick sense" of fellowship with humankind, in contrast to purely self-interested views.

How did Adam Smith incorporate ideas related to common sense in his economic theories?

While Adam Smith's student Hutcheson emphasized moral sentiment, Smith made self-interest a core assumption in nascent modern economics, particularly as a practical justification for free markets, a concept that continued to be debated in relation to common sense ethics.

What distinction did German philosophers like Kant make between different uses of "common sense" terminology?

German philosophers, including Kant, distinguished between Gemeinsinn (communal sense, used for aesthetics) and gesunder Verstand or bon sens (healthy understanding or everyday common sense), reflecting different philosophical traditions.

How did Giambattista Vico integrate different historical meanings of sensus communis?

Giambattista Vico united the Roman emphasis on shared, unreflective judgment within a community with the Greek concept of perception and imagination, defining sensus communis as "judgment without reflection, shared by an entire class, an entire people, and entire nation, or the entire human race."

What was Vico's critique of the Cartesian method in relation to education and common sense?

Vico believed that the Cartesian method alone could stunt intellectual development, whereas training in rhetoric and imagination, which fostered sensus communis, was crucial for adolescents to develop practical judgment and eloquence.

What did Thomas Reid propose as the fundamental principle of "common sense"?

Thomas Reid, founder of the Scottish school of Common Sense, proposed that common sense consists of principles that our nature compels us to believe and take for granted without being able to provide a reason for them, labeling anything contrary to these as absurd.

How did Kant adapt the concept of sensus communis for his philosophical system?

Kant adapted sensus communis primarily for aesthetics, viewing it as a faculty of judgment that considers the mode of representation of all other men, serving as a standard for objective aesthetic judgment and taste.

What criticism did Kant level against the Scottish school's use of common sense?

Kant criticized the Scottish school for using "the magic wand of common sense" and failing to properly confront the "metaphysical" problem of how reason should guide action, as defined by Hume.

How did Charles Sanders Peirce connect common sense to evolutionary theory?

Charles Peirce suggested that innate common sense beliefs could be explained by evolution, though he cautioned that such beliefs, while adapted to primitive conditions, were not infallible.

What was G.E. Moore's central argument in "A Defence of Common Sense"?

In "A Defence of Common Sense," G.E. Moore argued that individuals can confidently make statements about what they know to be true, and that these common sense beliefs are foundational.

How did Hannah Arendt connect the lack of sensus communis to the concept of the "banality of evil"?

Hannah Arendt argued that a lack of sensus communis, or thoughtfulness generally, contributed to the "banality of evil," as seen in figures like Adolf Eichmann, whose actions stemmed from an inability to imagine the perspectives of others.

What was the core of the debate between Hans-Georg Gadamer and Jürgen Habermas regarding common sense?

The debate between Gadamer and Habermas centered on whether common sense, particularly in its rhetorical or aesthetic forms, could serve as a basis for understanding or if it represented potentially harmful prejudices that needed to be overcome by rational dialogue.

How does the debate over methodological individualism in economics relate to the historical discussions of common sense?

Critics like Deirdre McCloskey argue that methodological individualism in economics, which assumes self-centeredness, is an artificial constraint that ignores the broader social and rhetorical dimensions of human behavior, echoing Enlightenment debates about the nature of common sense and morality.

What was the central argument of Fénelon and Buffier in their defense of common sense?

Fénelon and Buffier defended common sense as an anti-Cartesian foundation for knowledge, emphasizing its role as a basis for certainty that did not rely on abstract metaphysical assumptions.

How did the concept of "common sense" evolve in German philosophy during the Enlightenment, according to Gadamer?

Gadamer suggested that in German philosophy of the 18th and 19th centuries, sensus communis was "emptied and intellectualized," becoming a purely theoretical judgment parallel to conscience and taste, rather than retaining the civic quality found in other European traditions.

What is the significance of Vico's analysis of languages and myths in relation to common sense?

Vico believed that ancient wisdoms, embedded in languages and myths, could be rediscovered by analyzing them, suggesting that this collective wisdom formed a crucial part of sensus communis.

What did G.E. Moore mean by "A Defence of Common Sense"?

G.E. Moore's "A Defence of Common Sense" argued that certain common sense propositions, like "I am alive" or "I have a body," are known with certainty and form the basis for philosophical inquiry, rather than being subject to skeptical doubt.

How did the concept of sensus communis influence the development of "virtue epistemology"?

The influence of sensus communis, particularly as articulated by Thomas Reid and later thinkers like Peirce, contributed to the epistemological importance of shared understanding and basic beliefs, which is a theme explored in virtue epistemology.

What is the goal of "commonsense reasoning" in the field of artificial intelligence?

In artificial intelligence, "commonsense reasoning" aims to develop AI systems that possess the basic, assumed knowledge and judgment that humans typically have, enabling them to understand and interact with the world more naturally.

What did Aristotle mean by "common sensibles" in relation to the five senses?

Aristotle's "common sensibles" were aspects of reality, such as motion, shape, and size, that could be perceived by multiple senses, not just one specific sense, and were processed by the common sense faculty.

How did the Roman understanding of sensus communis relate to the concept of humanitas?

The Roman sensus communis was closely related to humanitas, encompassing not only human nature but also humane conduct, good breeding, and refined manners, reflecting a shared societal sensibility.

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What is Common Sense?

Sound Judgment

Common sense is often defined as sound practical judgment or knowledge of basic facts that most adult human beings are expected to possess. It represents a fundamental capacity for discernment in everyday matters, often held without explicit reasoning or debate.

Universal Understanding

The term "common" signifies that this knowledge and judgment are shared by nearly all people. It acts as a baseline for understanding and interacting with the world, forming a shared intellectual and practical foundation within society.

Linguistic Roots

The concept originates from the Latin term sensus communis and the Ancient Greek koinē aisthēsis. While direct translations can vary, these terms broadly refer to a shared sensory or cognitive faculty, highlighting its communal and perceptual dimensions.

Etymological Foundations

Aristotelian Origins

Aristotle first articulated the concept of a "common sense" (koinē aisthēsis) as a faculty that integrates perceptions from the five specialized senses. This faculty allows for the discrimination of objects by processing sensory data, distinct from individual sensory perceptions and higher rational thought.

Roman Ethical Dimension

In Roman thought, influenced by Stoicism, sensus communis evolved to include a natural sensitivity towards fellow humans and the community. This meaning emphasized shared notions, ethical virtue, and a sense of public spirit, contributing to a more socially oriented understanding.

Linguistic Nuances

While English often uses "common sense" broadly, other languages have distinct terms. French bon sens (good sense) and German Gemeinsinn (community sense) highlight different facets, reflecting the complex evolution and varied interpretations of the concept across cultures.

Historical Trajectory

Medieval and Renaissance

The Aristotelian concept of common sense was preserved and debated by medieval scholars. Later, during the Renaissance and Enlightenment, it became intertwined with discussions on rhetoric, taste, and the foundations of knowledge, often contrasted with purely rationalistic or metaphysical approaches.

Enlightenment Debates

The Enlightenment saw common sense emerge as a positive concept, associated with empiricism and modernity, contrasting with the perceived obscurantism of metaphysics. Thinkers like Thomas Paine championed "common sense" as a tool for political and social change.

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

René Descartes, while acknowledging bon sens, cautioned against its uncritical use, advocating for methodical skepticism. This sparked a debate with empiricists like John Locke and David Hume, who emphasized experience and inductive reasoning, often grounding common sense in shared experience and emotion.

Philosophical Evolution

Cartesian Skepticism

Descartes' emphasis on methodical doubt and mathematical certainty led to a re-evaluation of common sense. He located the faculty in the pineal gland, but his approach ultimately questioned the reliability of unexamined judgment, paving the way for its eventual rejection as a primary epistemological tool.

Post-Cartesian Critiques

Following Descartes, philosophers like Hobbes and Spinoza further emphasized reason over common sense. However, figures like Berkeley and Hume sought to ground knowledge in experience and natural sentiment, re-emphasizing aspects of common sense, particularly in ethics and epistemology.

Kant and Aesthetics

Immanuel Kant proposed a specific meaning of sensus communis in aesthetics, referring to a communal faculty of judgment that considers the perspectives of others. He distinguished this from the more general "healthy understanding" criticized by the Scottish school, highlighting its role in shared aesthetic appreciation.

Key Thinkers

Aristotle

Introduced the concept of koinē aisthēsis as the faculty integrating sensory input, crucial for perceiving common sensibles like shape and motion. This laid the groundwork for subsequent philosophical discussions.

René Descartes

While acknowledging bon sens (good sense), Descartes cautioned against its uncritical reliance, advocating for methodical skepticism. He located the faculty in the pineal gland, bridging the gap between mind and body.

Thomas Reid

Founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense Realism, Reid posited common sense as a set of self-evident principles essential for life, defending it against Hume's skepticism and emphasizing its innate, necessary nature.

Immanuel Kant

Developed a unique concept of sensus communis for aesthetics, emphasizing a communal judgment that considers universal human perspectives. He distinguished this from the empirical "healthy understanding."

Giambattista Vico

Integrated Greek and Roman meanings, advocating for a humanist interpretation of common sense. Vico saw it as essential for rhetoric, practical judgment, and understanding the wisdom of nations, critiquing Cartesian rationalism.

Contemporary Relevance

Epistemology and Ethics

In contemporary philosophy, common sense remains a subject of debate in epistemology (e.g., G.E. Moore's defense, phenomenal conservatism) and ethics. It informs discussions on foundational beliefs, moral sentiment, and the nature of rational discourse.

Social Sciences

The concept influences economic theory (methodological individualism vs. social sentiment) and political philosophy. Debates continue on whether to prioritize rational models or acknowledge the role of shared understanding and communal judgment in societal structures.

Postmodern Critiques

Postmodern thought, particularly figures like Lyotard, has introduced concepts like "dissensus communis," questioning the possibility of universal common ground. Hannah Arendt adapted Kant's idea for political judgment, highlighting the absence of common sense as a factor in the "banality of evil."

Cultural Variations

French Bon Sens

In French, bon sens emphasizes practical wisdom and good judgment, often associated with clarity and reasonableness. It aligns closely with the modern English understanding of common sense as sound practical reasoning.

German Gemeinsinn

German philosophy distinguishes between gesunder Verstand (healthy understanding, akin to English common sense) and Gemeinsinn (community sense). The latter, influenced by Kant, refers to a shared sensibility and public spirit, crucial for social cohesion and aesthetic judgment.

British Pragmatism

British philosophers like Shaftesbury and Hutcheson emphasized the moral and social dimensions of common sense, linking it to empathy and public spirit. This influenced later thinkers and contributed to the pragmatic tradition, valuing practical outcomes and shared experience.

References

Source Material

The content presented here is derived from a comprehensive analysis of philosophical texts and historical discourse on common sense. The following list provides the foundational sources consulted.

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References

De Anima column 427a. Plato, in his Theaetatus 185aâc uses the question of how to judge if sound or colour are salty.

Posterior Analytics II.19.

GregoriÄ (2007, p. 11). See below concerning Descartes.

De Oratore, I, 3, 12

Descartes (1901) Chapter: MEDITATION II.: Of the Nature of the Human Mind; and that It is More Easily Known than the Body.

Descartes (1901) Chapter: MEDITATION VI.: Of the Existence of Material Things, and of the Real Distinction Between the Mind and Body of Man.

Chapter II, "OF PRINCIPLES ADVERSE TO THAT OF UTILITY", in "An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation".

Vico (1968), I.ii "Elements" (Â§Â§141-146) and I.iv "Method" (Â§Â§347-350).

Gadamer (1989, pp. 32â34). Note: The source makes it clear that "English" includes Scottish authors.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Common sense Wikipedia page

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What is Common Sense? 🤔

⚖️ Sound Judgment

🌍 Universal Understanding

🗣️ Linguistic Roots

Etymological Foundations 📜

🏛️ Aristotelian Origins

🤝 Roman Ethical Dimension

💬 Linguistic Nuances

Historical Trajectory ⏳

📜 Medieval and Renaissance

💡 Enlightenment Debates

⚔️ Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Philosophical Evolution 🧠

🤔 Cartesian Skepticism

🧐 Post-Cartesian Critiques

⚖️ Kant and Aesthetics

Key Thinkers 🧑‍🏫

🏛️ Aristotle

🇫🇷 René Descartes

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Thomas Reid

🇩🇪 Immanuel Kant

🇮🇹 Giambattista Vico

Contemporary Relevance 🌐

🧐 Epistemology and Ethics

📈 Social Sciences

⚖️ Postmodern Critiques

Cultural Variations 🗣️

🇫🇷 French Bon Sens

🇩🇪 German Gemeinsinn

🇬🇧 British Pragmatism

References 📚

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is Common Sense?

Sound Judgment

Universal Understanding

Linguistic Roots

Etymological Foundations

Aristotelian Origins

Roman Ethical Dimension

Linguistic Nuances

Historical Trajectory

Medieval and Renaissance

Enlightenment Debates

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Philosophical Evolution

Cartesian Skepticism

Post-Cartesian Critiques

Kant and Aesthetics

Key Thinkers

Aristotle

René Descartes

Thomas Reid

Immanuel Kant

Giambattista Vico

Contemporary Relevance

Epistemology and Ethics

Social Sciences

Postmodern Critiques

Cultural Variations

French Bon Sens

German Gemeinsinn

British Pragmatism

References

Source Material

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice