6/5/2015 The limitations of common sense approach | The Synthesis

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The limitations of common sense approach

The limitations of this (and other) approaches can be grouped in three categories: extrinsic ones (theresult of factors extraneous to experience), limitations of common sense as a social practice (ensuingfrom the way knowledge is shared and communicated) and intrinsic limitations.

Extrinsic limitationsBias ‐ insights based on personal experiences are difficult to distinguish from one's preferences, desiresor fears. They are often coloured by the character of the person and shis past. Also, there is atendency to interpret these insights in such a way as to satisfy one's needs and confirm existing beliefs,which may give rise to superstition and other unproductive ways of explaining reality. Even if thissubjectivity is avoided, such insights are shaped by specific circumstances and may lack universality.

Dogmatism ‐ when beliefs based on common sense become embedded in a particular culturalframework, they are very difficult to change and often become dogmatic.

Limitations of common sense as a social practiceElusiveness ‐ common sense is based on clues often too complex and subtle to be rationally explainedand systematically described. This is why common sense, more than any other approach, finds itsexpression in narrative art (from myths and dramatisations to stories and films). However, such a wayof knowledge transmission may be sometimes vague and not easily understood.

Intrinsic limitationsLimited scope‐ common sense is limited in scope. Not all aspects of reality are accessible to personal(even if collective) experiences. The far corners of the universe, the world of subatomic particles, orthe processes in the living cell, are not within the reach of common sense. By the same token, anexploration of reality beyond the ordinary perception require a transcendence of typical personalexperiences. Furthermore, some understandings can only be achieved by using logic and reasoning in amore systematic and strict way than common sense usually does.

Imprecision ‐common sense relies on ‘rule of thumb' methods and, therefore, is not very precise. Thisoften does not matter, but sometimes more exact methods are needed.

The above indicates that common sense is a valuable approach but not sufficient on its own, so itneeds to be combined with other ones.