"Common sense is a by-product of what we know and what we practice" (63) This statement sums up a lot of what the common sense section of the chapter talks about and how we develop common sense through experience and practice. Common sense is continuously evolving over time. people from two different generations may have a different understanding and background of a "good" just based on the amount of time that has passed and how societal norms change. There is a statement on page 63 that talks about how common sense is only common when there is familiarity with a community and its practices. Common sense to one person can be something they are very familiar with and have known for years, while to someone else they may not understand the concept at all. These can be a variety of subjects such as "religion, cultural expression and practices, and social or political positions"(65).
For me, a good example of common sense would be swimming. It is not a very popular sport but I have competitively swam for over 4 years. With continuous practice and familiarity with the sport I am knowledgeable with swimming including aspects such as how good times are and how to swim effectively. If someone new first attempts the sport it is common that they wont have any previous experience with swimming so it is two different perspectives on what the "good" is. I would not judge the person because he or she does not have a background or experience in swimming, but it is still two different understandings of the sport.
"The only common sense is the realization that there is not universal common sense". With so many people coming from different backgrounds, generations, and cultures there can be no universal common sense. No one is the same and no one has the same perspective and knowledge as others do especially from different backgrounds of subjects. It is important to be open minded and to continuously learn others narratives and standpoints contrasted to ones own.
I think you could’ve made a stronger argument for using swimming as an analogy for the implementation of common sense if you had used it in a broader sense and not constricted it to professional swimming. For example, as an experienced swimmer you could’ve discussed how your knowledge of the water makes you more apt to swim in strong currents, or how your common sense might lead you to stay out of the water if the situation proves dangerous. Contrarily, a less experienced swimmer might be tempted to attempt the swim anyway, lacking the knowledge you have developed over many years practicing the sport.
ReplyDeleteI like how in your post you present the idea that common sense is ever evolving, and how it is only truthful when there is familiarity within the subject. With this you invoke the idea that someone who is just beginning the sport has the capacity to grow and develop a more keen sense of the sport, becoming more familiarized with it and therefore developing techniques that will in turn become common sense when applied in competitions. I think the idea of the professional swimmer and the novice opens the door for a great dialogue to be initiated; such as what has driven two people individually into the same sport, but it also creates a form of fraternal relationship in which learning can be achieved.