In the 18th century, philosopher James Beattie compiled a list of 17 commonly accepted beliefs. Some of these notions are widely recognized as fundamental truths, such as “I exist” and “A whole is greater than a part.” Others, however, appear excessively moralistic, including statements like “Ingratitude ought to be blamed and punished” and “There is a God.” Additionally, some beliefs are now subject to scientific scrutiny, challenging ideas such as “The senses can be believed” and even “Truth exists.” Overall, Beattie’s list seems outdated and lacks clarity on the essence of common sense.
Traditionally, common sense is perceived as knowledge or beliefs that should be self-evident to everyone. However, defining it remains elusive. While often regarded as a universal concept, many also argue that it does not exist at all. Remarkably, no prior attempts have been made to quantify the “commonness” of this knowledge or its inherent characteristics. Recent research now reveals that common sense may not be as widespread as previously thought.
The ramifications of this finding are substantial. From parenting and politics to public health and legal matters, the understanding of what constitutes common sense has significant implications. Furthermore, in today’s technological landscape, integrating common sense into artificial intelligence systems is becoming a pressing concern for computer scientists aiming to enhance robotic decision-making capabilities.
