| Common sense...
Posted: 2/26/2008 5:36:18 PM | i'm a big believer in common sense, and was just wondering what your definition of "common sense" is? Also, how do your beliefs, (religion, spirituality, science, life in general, whatever) relate to or affect said "common sense"? Is your common sense natural or aquired/learned? (i think it's a little of both, personally).
Please stay on topic and minimize the bashing,   | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/26/2008 6:37:44 PM | Ok, I'll take a little stab at this topic TongFuMstr..
As a Christian who believes that the Bible is God's Word to us, (FULL and overflowing with common sense, I might add!) I tend to believe that the beginning of wisdom/knowledge and yes even good ole' "common sense" is recognizing God for who He is and revering Him and then allowing HIM to teach you what is right and what it wrong. (Yeah I am one of those annoying people that tend to think in terms of 'right' and 'wrong' and 'black' or 'white' absolutes) "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge". (fearing as in revering, not being afraid of Him) So for me any common sense that I have, I attribute to what God has taught me..
But having said that, I also think that humans are hardwired by the Creator to have some basic common sense. Stuff like knowing that when your cold, you put on a sweater. When your hungry you eat.......when someone approaches you with a gun, you'd be best to get out of the WAY, rather than stand in his way and try to reason with him.
When it comes to other things like social issues, I think that's learned behavior. Someone has to teach you proper etiquette and social graces. It isn't just obvious to us. And much of this is cultural. The culture in which you were raised will often dictate what 'common sense' is.
For instance, in some cultures making eye contact is considered the ultimate in rude. But in others, it's considered rude NOT to look the person in the eyes when being spoken to, or speaking to someone.
I might say; "It's just common sense that you......." but that is really just MY opinion. It's only common sense if it makes sense to YOU.......otherwise it's just your opinion.. or maybe just your culture and tradition speaking.
Bottom line, I have confidence in some of my ability to reason out things as ; "This is just common sense!" But there are also times when I admit that my reasoning falls short and I have to depend upon what the Word of God says about any given situation, rather than just do whatever 'feels good' at the moment or seems to be 'common sense' to me.
I dunno, did I stay on topic or not??????!! | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/26/2008 6:41:15 PM | | I would hope that once a person has reached their 40's, common sense is more learned than natural. Unfortunately there are some slow learners. The Darwin Awards being a classic example, although the extreme. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/26/2008 8:31:58 PM | My definition of "common sense" would be "the most agreed/logical way of reacting and relating" or " ethics towards a common good"
how do your beliefs, (religion, spirituality, science, life in general, whatever) relate to or affect said "common sense"?
Sharing the warmth when it's cold, doing unto others as you would have done to you, Yeilding to speeding vehicles (especially when walking), being kind to yourself and others are all tenants of my belief system and personally, I think they are just common sense (of course I do, right? haha)
Sure, there are exceptions to the common notion of "good" and I'm pretty sure that's why we had to make some rules... The problem (imo) lies when the rules take the place of common sense instead of reinforcing it and eventually lawmakers are let to make decisions that actually go against common sense, like making the large population of weed smokers in the country criminals... The more people per capita a country has in jail, the less free that country is... Or at least the less common sense it appears to have.
I still think the Golden Rule could cover us all... Be happy and don't infrindge on anyone else's happiness.
Compassion, information sharing and all perspectives on the divine are big parts of whatever the heck it is I believe in... I guess I can call it Unity today.
Is your common sense natural or aquired/learned? (i think it's a little of both, personally).
I think both too... Hard to word it right, but you have to observe people first in order to get any kind of consensus on what could be considered "common". | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 2:10:56 AM | very nice post SheGoesAlone!!! Thanks
springazure44 wrote:
I would hope that once a person has reached their 40's, common sense is more learned than natural. Unfortunately there are some slow learners. The Darwin Awards being a classic example, although the extreme.
not sure what your getting at here, but imho, i would think that common sense is more natural than learned, after so many years, seeing that the learning had begun early on, but that's just me!
Stonestongue, i hear ya man, thanks!
God bless, off to work!
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 5:11:30 AM | Err... I don't agree with any of this. I don't think common sense has anything to do with "goodness", except indirectly, and certainly don't think that the bible is full of it. Well... I think the bible is full of it, just not common sense.
I would define common sense more as an unschooled life-skills. An ability to think and judge accurately. Common sense is the ability to react clearly and thoughtfully to a situation or problem and create a successful resolution.
Sadly one thing common sense is not is common. :) | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 5:30:12 AM | the physical laws of our universe apply to the spiritual realm as well...at least in my mind. i get[/] the physical laws (due maybe to my taurus sun).
i believe like attracts like. and each action returns to us.
therefore, if we look out for each other, keeping another's best interests at heart, the universe will, in turn, do the same for us. it may not look the way we'd like it to, but it will work in harmony. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 6:03:41 AM | | I learnt common sense from my parents and by falling out of trees. I had a fun upbringing by respponsible parents with an education. I think thats the way we all learn it. I dont see the connection between common sense and spirituality, or belief. But I do apply common sense to my beliefs, and spirituality. I could never become a Christian, of any denomination, because, while I appreciate the core values the surrounding mythology and literature makes no sense to me at all. I find Buddhism to encourage more self-reliance and responsibility for ones actions. Taoism to me seems to have a better grasp of reality in that it does amazingly agree with modern science. That makes real sense, although I dont know how the ancient Chinese managed it. So a lot of what forms my beliefs, although it comes from traditional sources is assessed by common sense, in no way does it direct my common sense. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 7:09:45 AM | Personally the terms "common sense" and "religion" seem to be opposites.I see very little common sense in the practice of religion in the world.When a child dies because their Jehovah's Witness parents refuse a life saving blood transfusion because it violates their dogma,where's the common sense?I see no common sense with the way the situation is in the middle east.They all need to forget about ancient religious texts that tell about promised lands ,chosen people and the One True God and concentrate on common sense and practical solutions in this transitory , earthly realm where we ALL have to live regardless of what we believe.
Common sense involves life in the here and now for everyone,not some fantastic promise of a life after death for believers with mandates on seeing how many infidels one can convert. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 7:17:38 AM | To put it mildly, I don't believe in common sense. There are just too many people who don't have any for it to be something substantial.
As far as my belief system? I believe that religion lacks common sense, and I still pay attention to it. Therefore, I lack common sense.
It's an airtight plan! | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 7:20:55 AM | Common sense is... not being a dumbass
Common sense is basic knowledge of the laws of the universe (what goes up must come down..etc..) and a little of learned human psychology (people have to earn your trust..etc...) some street smarts (walking alone in a dangerous neighborhood might not be the best choice if you want to arrive safely) ...ultimately it is being able to think for yourslf and use your own knowledge and logic to navigate through any situation...extrapolation is also a skill used in common sense..if I do THIS..than THAT is likely to happen. The golden rule is a good one for dealing with people... with a big dose of caution KNOWING that treating others as you would like to be treated does NOT mean opening oneself up to being used, abused or violated.
It's what keeps one alive and happy after your parents abdicate their responsibility for your welfare. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 7:26:33 AM | Various dictionary definitions define "common sense" as "sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like". The expression has been around since the 1500s according to the Oxford English Dictionary, so I think it's reasonable (common sense?) to use that definition and consider it valid and accurate.
Therefore, "common sense" is natural. And if only one or the other is allowed, it's not "acquired" because it's not learned or trained for, not the result of education, courses, lessons, or the like -- though such material may enhance or modify or assist common sense in its application. However, I think that some common sense is innate and some is learned.
I think you may be confusing "common sense" with "obvious" or "logical" or "rational" in the questions you asked. To me, it may be "common sense" that God exists, but I think it's better to say it's "obvious" and "rational". That is, the existence of God is a given for me, and governs my thoughts and how I approach my world. It may not be obvious to others (in fact, I expect the more rabid anti-Theists to chime in at any moment demanding I accept their 'truth' that it is neither obvious or rational), but I wouldn't suppose they lacked common sense. I wouldn't even suppose they were irrational. I would suppose that they didn't see what I saw and leave them to believe as they see fit (which is common sense on my part, i.e. live and let live).
Some people also confuse "common sense" with "good manners" or "social customs and mores". For example, in a society where nakedness is normal, it's perfectly normal to walk around naked. Such a society may consider a person who is fully clothed as judgemental and antisocial. In a society that considers nakedness, even an exposed ankle or arm, shameful and immodest, nakedness is wholly inappropriate. Which is the right choice, fully clothed or naked? It depends on the social rules of the group. In deciding whether to cover up or not, one would hope that "common sense" plays a sufficient part in the decision to make the correct choice obvious. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 7:12:37 PM | I never thought about this before! I think my first thought on common sense is that it is a "sense". Like a 6th sense, just what comes naturally, without thought. I wouldn't think of it as learned, but more of a reaction to situations.
I don't know that it has to do with religion. I would suppose the readings in the Bible aren't always common sense. God's actions are often calculated and well thought out to produce results of His will. I don't read the Bible and get "common sense" thoughts very often, I need to study it and think it through, go to Bible Study and listen to others interpretations and thoughts on a reading to see the whole picture, or try to figure it out. God does not have "common" sense. His is very unique. And thats my opinion! | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/27/2008 7:43:38 PM | Common sense is a word often used by people who think they have it to bash people who don't act the way they think is appropriate. In the military I was involved at times in with training exercises. And many times I had to tell people who out ranked me that expecting common sense from subordinates was not a viable replacement for training.
Common Sense is like Military Intelligence... it is a contradiction in terms! (I think I might be quoting Robert Heinlien the Science Fiction author here...)
Anywho... it seems to me that using common sense can only be expected from folks who have a point of reference. For instance in prison they call it "re"- habilitation... Well, common sense would dictate that you cannot rehabilitate someone who was never 'habilitated' in the first place.
But you know... every morning I wake up and ask God why I wasn't born smart instead of Good Looking. Again common sense shows that sense must first be found to have a point of reference... so now I thank God every morning that I was born both smart and good looking. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/28/2008 2:09:06 AM | nice opinion, Kathie!
Stat~man, love your posts sometimes, class and intelligence with humor!
God bless!!! | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/28/2008 3:45:48 AM | Common sense and how it relates to my spiritual beliefs.... they definitely form a complete circle in my beliefs. Notice, I did not say "religion"..... I said "spiritual beliefs"....because to me, most organized religion does not make for common sense.
I believe "what goes around, comes around".... and extrapolate that to the maximum that you can. If you want love and kindness, you have to give it.... if you want compassion and empathy, you have to give it. BUT... you have to know and love yourself first in order to truly give it..... you cannot truly give love and kindness to another before you give it to yourself. No matter what "it" is.... you have to have it in you to give it to yourself before you can give it to another.... and that requires knowing and loving yourself first..... knowing what you want first. I also carry this into past lives and the belief in reincarnation.... a basic law of physics goes something like "no energy is created or destroyed, it just changes form". I believe that to be true of the "life energy" also.... therefore reincarnation exists, in my opinion..... therefore, to me, it makes for a lot of common sense. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/28/2008 10:04:53 PM | I read the posts. And while I am very religious, religion is a belief system and not a program for resolving every day common challenges like raking the leaves, driving a car, fixing your faucet, building a shed, or fixing your lawn mower.
Common sense is the ability, through previous learning, to logically resolve problems or challenges in our every day life. It is the ability to exercise good judgment when faced with situations that require active, and generally immediate, solutions.
In my experience, few people exercise or have common sense, although virtually everyone thinks they have it. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/29/2008 5:06:08 AM | | I think a lot of common sense comes with experience. I know with myself getting older and seeing more of people's behavior has increased my BS detector's ability. Being a judge helps. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/29/2008 6:20:37 AM | "Common sense" is an overused term.
What people believe is "common sense" varies from one group to another.
To some people...biblical writings and teachings are common sense.
To others, evolutionary biology is common sense.
Just depends on what your perspective is.
Personally, I think that when most people use the term "common sense" they mean what THEY believe to be correct. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/29/2008 7:20:18 AM | I think people of all religions will err on the side of common sense when it comes to kids(well,except perhaps those that refuse a life saving medical treatment that would save their child's life).Here is an interesting finding I came across a few years ago.
I once had three documents put out by three different religious groups,all radically different from each other.The documents were about how to raise your kids in a "heathen" world.One document was from Focus on the Family,Dr.James Dobson,with that document about how to raise your kid "Christian" in a secular world,another was from an Islamic group and it was aimed at people who had to immigrate from the middle east to the "infidel" west and it was about how to raise your kid in the "will of Allah"or some such,and the third document was from Blanche Barton,who is the High Priestess of the Church of Satan in San Francisco.The latter document was about how to raise your kids,"Satanically aware" in a "sheeple herdlike world".
What's interesting is that if you stripped away the religious aspects of all three documents,they all said basically the same thing.They suggested private or home schooling,seriously curtailing and monitoring the use of the TV,internet and other media and a close watch on who your child associates with.Basic common sense. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/29/2008 1:16:45 PM | Common sense is a phrase used when someone thinks outside of the sense of the sayers circle of knowledge. What is common sense in Christian circles would be laughable in Atheist circles etc...
The phrase "that's common sense" is used as way of abusing another person most times. creating seperation, and pointing out just how different and unacceptable the other is. Other times it can be a genuine inability to understand how someone could of missed out on such a relevant and much needed piece of information. Tone can tell a lot when it comes to the use of wielding the common sense line. | |
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| Common sense...
Posted: 2/29/2008 1:36:30 PM | I can't put common sense in words right now but anytime you or someone could say DUH about an action that is not common sense.
Like, I fell asleep on the beach and got third degree burns. DUH | |
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