Common Sense

[Thai Pom]

Where does it come from:

Are we born with it?

Are we taught it?

Does it develop with experience?

Straight forward answers please, no particular race or nation targeted !!

Cheers, TP

[SEA Traveler]

Definition of COMMON SENSE : sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts."[1] Thus, "common sense" (in this view) equates to the knowledge and experience which most people already have, or which the person using the term believes that they do or should have. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as, "the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way".[2]
Whichever definition is used, identifying particular items of knowledge as "common sense" is difficult. Philosophers may choose to avoid using the phrase when using precise language. But common sense remains a perennial topic in epistemology and many philosophers make wide use of the concept or at least refer to it. Some related concepts include intuitions, pre-theoretic belief, ordinary language, the frame problem, foundational beliefs, good sense, endoxa, axioms, wisdom, folk wisdom, folklore, and public opinion.
Common-sense ideas tend to relate to events within human experience (such as good will), and thus appear commensurate with human scale. Humans lack any common-sense intuition of, for example, the behavior of the universe at subatomic distances [see Quantum mechanics], or of speeds approaching that of light [see Special relativity]. Often ideas that may be considered to be true by common sense are in fact false. Conversely, certain ideas that are subject to elaborate academic analysis oftentimes yield superior outcomes via the application of common sense[citation needed].
Aristotle: According to Aristotle, the common sense (Sensus communis) is an actual power of inner sensation (as opposed to the external five senses (Five wits)) whereby the various objects of the external senses (color for sight, sound for hearing, etc.) are united and judged,[3] such that what one senses by "common sense" is the substance (or existing thing) in which the various attributes inhere (so, for example, a sheep is able to sense a wolf, not just the color of its fur, the sound of its howl, its odor, and other sensible attributes.) It was not, unlike later developments, considered to be on the level of rationality, which properly did not exist in the lower animals, but only in man; this irrational character was because animals not possessing rationality nevertheless required the use of the common sense in order to sense, for example, the difference between this or that thing, and not merely the pleasure and pain of various disparate sensations.[4] This also contributes to the understanding held by the Scholastics that when one senses, one senses something, and not just a diversity of sensible phenomena.
Common sense, in this view, differs from later views in that it is concerned with the way one receives sensation, and not with belief, or wisdom held by many; accordingly, it is "common", not in the sense of being shared among individuals, or being a genus of the different external senses, but inasmuch as it is a principle which governs the activity of the external senses.
Cicero: In Cicero, common sense was the common practice, custom, speech, views, and mentality of the crowd whose tastes the orator had to take into account if he were to influence them (De Oratore, I, 3, 12). At the same time it was the tacit sense and collection of spontaneous judgments which all men possess by nature and which permits them to discern good from evil (De Oratore, III, 50, 195).

[alitongkat]

maybe we all have common sense - born with - but its then overrule by other body chemicals, e.g. testosterone?

[chassamui]

maybe we all have common sense - born with - but its then overrule by other body chemicals, e.g. testosterone?

You have some serious issues dear. Common sense dictates you should seek help before you become a full time fruit bat.

[bobo746]

All of the above.

[SEA Traveler]

maybe we all have common sense - born with - but its then overrule by other body chemicals, e.g. testosterone?

it is my belief that common sense is a judgmental analytical process that is acquired from experience, education, general situational awareness, the environment in which one was brought up in, and the human senses. The fact that an individuals actions don't meet a general common sense criteria is probably the result of putting a desire in a higher priority than what he/she knows if sensible.

[chassamui]

It's the reason we surround new born babies with protective measures to stop them falling out of bed, drinking bleach and putting their hands in the fire.
As soon as they are capable of assimilating information, the training begins.

[alitongkat]

maybe we all have common sense - born with - but its then overrule by other body chemicals, e.g. testosterone?

it is my belief that common sense is a judgmental analytical process that is acquired from experience, education, general situational awareness, the environment in which one was brought up in, and the human senses. The fact that an individuals actions don't meet a general common sense criteria is probably the result of putting a desire in a higher priority than what he/she knows if sensible.

i was thinking of a niece and nephew, just a few months apart in age...
they were both brought up in the same house, same adult... people around... different parents, but related...

they both were taking same risks (swinging on the fence etc...)... both same (not) particularly fearful...maybe age 2 years

though, when it came to the girl, the boy would often warn and say something like "see what girl does do dangerous things, dont do this"... what he had done himself before...

imo, he showed a lot of common sense... his thoughts and fears were true, real... but he wouldnt really apply it to himself...

[alitongkat]

maybe another clue to "common sense" and risk taking...

base jumping - very risky, most people would say that such a sport must lack of "common sense"...

it has been found, that people seeking that "adrenalin kicks" have some chemical imbalance - might be more complicated from the medical view, but basically its sort of imbalance...

[SEA Traveler]

as with anything, there is always some sort of mental risk assessment that takes place. sometimes that risk assessment is conscious and well thought out, other times it is a subconscious process. probably dependent of how quickly an action needs to take place.

[EggSandwich]

I genuinely believe common sense and logic should be taught in school. It could take the place of the redundant RE lesson.

X boxes and Play Stations are dumbing down kids and seems like their common sense is the worst affected.

[Cujo]

I don't think you can teach common sense.
Talking about xboxes and playstations, my six year old likes to play on the computer but so I encourage him to play these logic games such as SteamPunk physics game on Physics Games Box
I really think it's good for him.

[jizzybloke]

You don't seem to need it in the UK anymore, the H&S brigade are doing away with the need for it!

[EggSandwich]

^^ Within moderation I would agree that those kind of things can be good, but too many parents let their kids sit in front of them all day and not playing the educational ones.

I put a few games on my phone for my son to play now and then, and he can complete levels I physically can't and he's not yet 5. So to have hand eye coordination like that so young has to be a good thing IMO, just not at the expense of using the brain in other ways.

I think you could teach it. Getting kids to slow down and work through the process of understanding something one step at a time, without just jumping straight to the wrong conclusion could help. It's something that normally comes with age but I don't see why it would hurt to try and instil it a bit earlier.

[EggSandwich]

You don't seem to need it in the UK anymore, the H&S brigade are doing away with the need for it!

Exactly! The system is trying to stop kids thinking for themselves and having to take responsibility for their actions. H&S is 21st century common sense.

[Cujo]

I think you could teach it. Getting kids to slow down and work through the process of understanding something one step at a time,

That game I just showed you does exactly that.

[EggSandwich]

I think you could teach it. Getting kids to slow down and work through the process of understanding something one step at a time,

That game I just showed you does exactly that.

But like I said, most parents aren't as clued up as you and will let their kids play shoot em ups all day and night.

There is nothing wrong with technology in general, infant schools have laptops in these days, but lots of parents can't be trusted to moderate the use of it.

[Thai Pom]

You don't seem to need it in the UK anymore, the H&S brigade are doing away with the need for it!

I think this is the way it is going, you are not allowed to have it anymore!!

[Bangyai]

The more I look at the world today the more I feel the term ' common sense ' was ill conceived by its creator. He should have called it ' rare sense ' then he would have actually said what he meant.

[alitongkat]

when looking at the world from beginning of times - as far as we know - its hard to think of a creator with common sense...

common sense has - imo - never been so far developed than today...

things have been worse in former times...

[Mr Lick]

You don't seem to need it in the UK anymore, the H&S brigade are doing away with the need for it!

I think this is the way it is going, you are not allowed to have it anymore!!

I would agree that most employees see H & S as an insult to their common sense but in reality H & S is protecting the employee and placing the responsibility on the employer to supply proper equipment for the task in addition to training.

Employees can and sometimes will take shortcuts and those that do and suffer injury may ultimately suffer from THEIR decision to do so.

When i was growing up i often saw construction workers on sites in shorts, sandels and headband (swinging 60's ). Now we witness signs on sites such as 'No Boots. No Helmet, No Job'. Now to my mind that is pure common sense so why has it taken government legislation to ensure that those working in risky areas are protected? Why couldn't the employees see that for themselves?

I worked in risk taking employment for 26 years and welcomed H & S legislation even though additional elements to tasks had to be implemented during deployment. Improved personal equipment, vehicles, etc:

Nothing more has been done to reduce injuries/deaths for UK employees in history than Health and Safety legislation. The figures are there.

To protect oneself from injury at work, well it's just COMMON SENSE isn't it?

[FlyFree]

You're asking TD members about common sense?

Do you think that displays common sense?

[EggSandwich]

^^ To a certain degree yes. But you need to use common sense and know where to draw the line. The list of ways H&S is making a mockery of every day life is a long one.

The words 'Caution Hot' having to be written on the side of HOT drinks because some gormless kunt burnt herself is one that springs to mind.

H&S is far more about protecting the employers from being sued than it is the employees from getting hurt.

[Thai Pom]

You're asking TD members about common sense?

Do you think that displays common sense?

Point taken, Sorry

[9999]

I genuinely believe common sense and logic should be taught in school.

They are doing some great stuff at a few schools in Canberra, focusing on 'critical thinking' from a young age and basically changing the way kids a taught. Teaching them to think and figure things out. This is where my kids will be educated.

I put a few games on my phone for my son to play now and then, and he can complete levels I physically can't and he's not yet 5.

A reflection of your kid, or of yourself? :-P

infant schools have laptops in these days, but lots of parents can't be trusted to moderate the use of it.

True that. Less than a generation away though it won't be a problem. It amazes me how so many old people, like my grandparents, are shit scared of computers. My Grandpa can take apart and put together an engine he's never seen before, merge two wrecked cars of different makes into one that runs, but can't even find the on switch on a computer.