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• 1 Moeen Salahuddin // Nov 5, 2009 at 4:18 pm

  Common Sense, in French bon sense, is not an ideology or a doctrine, nor a philosophy or scientific theory. It is an approach which relies on collective wisdom accumulated over many generations when trying to understand and rationally explain phenomenon, developments and events. Where such rational understanding is not available, common sense recognizes that further investigative efforts are required before an explanation can be provided. Over the millennia the scope of what can be rationally understood has constantly grown thus ever broadening the range of common sense. As a result knowledge and wisdom which are the underpinning of common sense at time may no longer be seen as such today.

  Common sense is closely related to the concept of relativity, according to which things look differently according to the place and time of considering them as well as the physical and mental make up of the observer. This has been verified in scientific terms ever since Einstein launched his theory of relativity at the beginning of the century. Things therefore not only look different but actually are different in time and space. As a result, common sense cannot support the idea of absolute truth. It agrees that such truth may be perceived by individuals in the form of religious or mystic experience. This is due to the fact that no two persons are ever absolutely the same. Even clones differ from each other simply by being separate.

  Common sense notes that change will always occur and nothing can ever be final. Change may be linear or cyclical or take other forms, but it can be neither prevented nor avoided. Just as the passing of time never stops, so do events happen and evolve. There cannot be an “end to history” as such. Only an end to a certain chapter of history.

  Common sense, in a way is universal and transcends cultural and religious differences. Indeed it stipulates that such differences exist and that any form of interaction between them must either respect and accommodate this or then be prepared to impose ones own views on the other side, which will normally require coercion and thus provoke resistance. On the other hand, within a specific religious or cultural framework, there may be common sense approaches which are specific to this framework and cannot be exported into another or used for interaction wit different cultures or religions.

  Common sense shows us that human relationships are either confrontational or based on accommodation. Confrontation may lead to subjugation of one side by the other or to accommodation ending it. Accommodation may create a situation of balance or of domination. Balance may be the result of inability of either side to dominate the other, or it may be expressly sought by both sides. This last situation would appear to be the most desirable one if long term stability is the objective. However, as nothing ever remains unchanged, such long term stability itself requires constant efforts of adjustment to and accommodation with the changing circumstances, lest things degenerate into confrontation.

  Another important lesson of common sense is that one should not look at a fact, a situation or a development in isolation. Circumstances, facts, developments and situations surrounding the item under consideration affect it and as they are affected by it. They must be taken into account to make a proper perception possible. Such a holistic approach is resisted by aprioristic theories and religious attitudes which consider all things in the light of an undisputed and unchangeable basic dogma. In so doing their adherents do not realize that the perception of dogmas itself keeps changing, even where that very perception claims to return to the original understanding of the dogma.

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