Common sense: definition, thinking, and problem solving

Common sense could, at face value, have several definitions applied to it: Firstly, it is 'common' in that all agree to the idea and accept it as obvious. No amount of research or investigation need go into establishing its existence or reasons for its propositions in order that one accept it. It is self-evident, therefore of sound judgment, therefore, no doubt, accepted by the 'normal' rational person. Using a circular definition, it is sense that is held in 'common' by 'common' people.

'Common sense could be thought of as logical thinking in the hypothetical-deductive manner that is innate in us, i.e. If p then q; an intrinsic sense of reasoning that is innate and instinctive in all rationally reasoning humans. In this sense it is also an autonomous and natural problem-solving technique.

Philosophers, however, find the definition of common sense to be less facile. Indeed, common sense remains one of the perennial and popular topics in philosophy, likely because philosophy counters common sense and suspects its appearance. Related philosophical concepts include: intuitions, pre-theoretic belief, the frame problem, foundational beliefs, endoxa, axioms, good sense, and ordinary language. Philosophers, such as Aristotle, the Scholastics, and Locke, in a certain manner, equated 'common sense' with the mental application of attributing a perception with a holistic meaning. When seeing a tree for instance we do not divide it into its particles of leaf, bough, twig etc., but see it for its whole: Tree. The mind instinctively categorizes the particular into the whole, classifying it, and giving it a certain meaning and context.

The entire discipline of science, in fact, goes out of its way, to ask so-called common sense questions in order to investigate whether they can refute them, thus show that they are not as commonsensical as they initially appear, and, by refuting them, develop new discoveries. Science, particularly the social sciences, over and again, throughout history have shown that what appears logical and commonly upheld by all is precisely not so, and the reverse, that which appears illogical and insane, may in fact be the case. A common case that springs to mind is the earth revolving around the sun, or even the fact that the earth revolves altogether. Contrary to all accepted commonsensical reasoning, this fact was vigorously disputed for years, is still ideologically disputed by some individuals today, and continues to perplex those who meet this notion for the first time. Instinctive, apparently logical, and a heuristic problem solving schema as common sense may be, it may also be erroneous at times, therefore its tenets have to be thoroughly and scientifically investigated.