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What is "common sense"?

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Caulfeild

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"Common sense" is usually considered that which is easily observable to be good/bad, true/false, independent of the philosophical questions (good/bad, by what standard?)

Essentially, it has been extensively used by philosophers of the modern age to balance out their irrational theories. "Use some common sense" is basically an admission that their own theories don't work and that one must sneak in (under the cover of the nonphilosophical concept 'common sense') another philosophical system in order to properly function in the world.

"Common sense" can also be used in a quasi-mystical way, in order to avoid argument against a superior position. "Having no taxes won't work; use some common sense," is a classic example. In this sense "common sense" is used as both an appeal to a (false) authority (namely that "common sense" should be taken as an absolute) and an implied threat; why, if you don't agree with me, you're obviously stupid/lacking in common sense!

Several other ways to use it, but "common sense" is really an empty concept. It gets filled by whatever the context happens to be, and can be a good thing or a bad thing.

An objective definition of common sense would, literally, be opinions that are commonly held about things. Which makes it a useless (or at least nonevaluative) term.

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