Publish at March 21 2023 Updated March 21 2023
"Everyone abounds in his own sense"
Rabelais
This article comes from an observation made while observing a gathering of businessmen/women at a foreign trade advisor congress in a tropical country. The theme of the congress embraced the topic of ecological transition.
Yet, as the temperature hovered around 35° with humidity hovering around 80%, the majority of the congressmen wore heavy, hot suits making them drip with sweat. The congress premises were copiously cooled by a reinforced air conditioning, including for the gala evening which was held outside. The more prestigious the speakers were, the more they wore the codes and attributes of power, such as ties. I thought to myself in my heart here are people who speak and listen to the great climate issues (higher now expected between +2° to +4°), but, are unable to listen to their bodily feelings. They sweat or rather than change their clothing habits and simply limit the use of energy whose carbon impact is known, they pursue their personal status. Can we steer the affairs of the world when we lack the basic common sense to take off our jackets when it's hot? But, what is common sense and even more so what is common sense?
Some imagine an opposition between common sense as a natural idea versus supernatural ideas, even magical thinking. Voltaire in his "Portable Philosophical Dictionary" reminds us of the origin of sensus. "There is sometimes in the vulgar expressions an image of what goes on in the hearts of all men. Sensus communis meant among the Romans not only common sense, but humanity, sensitivity."
Sense here refers us to what is special and distinctive about humans, for example today, in the face of artificial intelligences that spout data without knowing its meaning. When data is intended, it takes on a different meaning. Meaning carries with it the ideas of origin, destination and context, three dimensions that show the complexity of meaning. Common sense can be defined as the ability to use reasoning and experience to make sound, practical decisions in everyday situations. When it's hot, I take off my jacket.
However, common sense is an ambivalent notion; it is often synonymous with reason, obviousness, or even genius intuition. However, in a pejorative way it is associated by some with "crude reason", vague opinions, or lack of knowledge and science. There would thus be, on the one hand, a "savvy knowledge", fruit of studies and efforts of acquisition placing itself in the philosophical tradition of the organized explanation of the world notably Cartesian, and, on the other hand, a frugal, insecure knowledge, stemming from the observation of the daily life, of the cycle of the seasons, attributed to the peasants; hence the expression "peasant good sense". This peasant common sense would be limited to unsupported beliefs, limited areas of experience, cultural prejudice, and a lack of innovation as tradition is privileged.
Sense, however, would never be an absolute. Meaning is, at a minimum, a dialogue or even a compromise. In his thesis, Larsson (1997) goes in search of meaning between objectifiable meaning and negotiated meaning. In concluding his investigations, he states "meaning, in order to be, must contain an intersubjectively recognized cognition or conceptualization, codified and memorized by at least two speakers."
Thus, meaning is not only founded by science as knowledge, but, also negotiated between individuals according to the codes and usages of human communication. Taking off one's jacket thus carries more than just adaptation to the immediate situation, it carries a signal when it comes to the separation one wishes to establish with others.
Can common sense be taught? Among the declinations of sense, literature declines the literal sense, the figurative sense, the manifest sense or even the common sense. From a philosophical point of view, meaning is similar to reason, foundation, justification, destination, intention, or value. As for religions, they have mastered allegorical meanings, tropological meanings (biblical exegesis), or anagogical meanings (revealing ethical tendencies).
Making sense in teaching and learning involves following a few principles of communication, engagement, feedback, and adaptation. To teach effectively, it is important to communicate ideas and concepts clearly.
Similarly, learning effectively involves asking questions to clarify points that are unclear. Learning to present and question remain the foundation. For a teacher, being engaged and passionate about the subject sounds trivial but it still plays a modeling effect. Similarly, to learn effectively, it is important to be engaged and motivated to learn. Without this the interaction will remain fruitless.
Also, providing opportunities to practice and apply concepts is key. Without application the concepts remain theoretical. Providing constructive feedback to help students improve their work may also seem basic but it is a way to activate reflexivity.
For a learner, receiving constructive feedback improves understanding of their performance and being able to replicate it. A key idea lies in tailoring one's approach to the learners' needs. Learning common sense probably involves learning discernment for oneself rather than just learning a ready-made program.
While common sense is often considered a form of practical wisdom based on experience and intuitive judgment, it is still a contribution to wisdom that includes a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the complexities of life, but it cannot encompass everything.
While common sense may be useful in solving common practical problems, wisdom may be needed to deal with more complex and long-term situations. Wisdom involves a deep understanding of life, oneself, others and the world around us. While common sense leads back to practical visions and decisions, wisdom is much more encompassing and offers a holistic perspective.
Wisdom transcends cultures and eras, leading to ethical decisions because it is based on deep reflection on life's experiences and events. This involves having the humility to look at one's mistakes, to face them and to accept one's areas of ignorance in order to better grow and learn the essential things.
Sources
I Think.org - Common Sense Philosophical Definition https://www.jepense.org/bon-sens-definition-philosophique/#
Wikipedia Sense https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sens_(literature)
Voltaire. Dictionnaire philosophique portatif
https://www.decitre.fr/livres/dictionnaire-philosophique-portatif-9782210762695.html
Larsson, B. (1997). Common sense. Remarks on intersubjective (re)cognition in the epistemology and ontology of meaning.
https://lucris.lub.lu.se/ws/portalfiles/portal/17663944/Le_Bons_Sens_Communs_oa.pdf
Schlegel, J. (2021). Hermeneutics and the methods of biblical exegesis. The Journal Review, 66, 64-74.
https://doi.org/10.3917/rdr.066.0064
The World. Government launches work on adapting to an assumed 2 to 4 degrees of warming https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2023/02/24/climat-le-gouvernement-lance-des-travaux-sur-l-adaptation-a-un-rechauffement-presume-a-2-c-ou-4-c_6163138_3244.html
The French Language. Anagogical https://www.lalanguefrancaise.com/dictionnaire/definition/anagogique
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