The phrase “common sense” suggests that certain beliefs and actions should be universally understood, yet new research shows that common sense is more elusive than we realize. Recent studies reveal that what we consider “common sense” is highly influenced by personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and individual beliefs. This lack of universal understanding has implications for how we navigate political debates, societal norms, and even the development of artificial intelligence (AI). In this article, we explore the latest findings on why common sense isn’t as common as we assume and what this means for our collective decision-making and future technology.
The Idiosyncratic Nature of Common Sense
While we often think of common sense as a shared understanding, it turns out to be far more personal and context-dependent. According to research published in New Scientist, common sense is deeply tied to individual experiences, which means it can vary widely from one person to another. What may seem like a logical or straightforward decision to one person might be entirely incomprehensible to someone else, based on their life experiences, cultural context, and social environment.
Cognitive scientist Barbara Tversky explains, “Common sense is not a universal truth but rather a set of principles we develop over time based on our particular experiences and environments.” This idiosyncrasy creates an illusion that common sense should be shared when in reality, it is as diverse as the individuals who practice it.
This variability has real-world consequences, especially when it comes to disagreements in politics or social debates. A study published in Psychology Today notes that people often assume their understanding of the world is widely shared, which leads to frustrations when others don’t “see the obvious.” In politically charged environments, this leads to polarization, as individuals interpret situations differently and believe others lack basic common sense. The reality is that what we define as “common” is often just our personal viewpoint.
How ‘Common Sense’ Influences Political Polarization
Recent findings challenge the idea that common sense should lead to agreement across different groups. They show how deeply it is shaped by cultural and social factors. According to research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), political ideology significantly affects how individuals define common sense and moral judgments. In essence, people filter their understanding of common sense through their political and cultural lenses.
Political scientist Jonathan Haidt argues that common sense in political discussions is “not the shared truth we think it is, but rather a set of moral intuitions that differ by group.” For example, someone raised in a rural setting may see fiscal responsibility as a matter of common sense, while someone from an urban background may prioritize social safety nets. Both groups believe their perspectives are rooted in fundamental, self-evident truths.
This difference in perception has contributed to the growing divide in political and social conversations. When both sides are convinced they are backed by common sense, finding common ground becomes challenging. In reality, both parties are working from distinct frameworks influenced by their lived experiences, making “common” sense a misnomer.
Implications for Artificial Intelligence: Can AI Have Common Sense?
As researchers work to develop AI systems that mimic human understanding, they face a major challenge: teaching machines what “common sense” is. One of the hurdles in AI development has been programming machines to navigate everyday scenarios that rely on human intuition, which is much harder to quantify than rule-based logic.
Artificial intelligence expert Yann LeCun explains, “AI systems struggle with common sense because what we call ‘common sense’ is a complex and nuanced understanding of the world, formed over a lifetime of personal experiences.” As a result, while AI can excel at tasks requiring data and logic, it struggles with ambiguous situations or those requiring a deeper understanding of human context.
The idiosyncratic nature of common sense makes it even more difficult to train AI. What one person might consider obvious, another might not, creating inconsistent data for machines to learn from. As AI developers try to address this, some are focusing on making AI more adaptable to different scenarios by incorporating context-specific learning rather than attempting to build a one-size-fits-all understanding of common sense.
How to Navigate the Myth of Common Sense
While the idea of universal common sense might be an illusion, there are steps individuals and organizations can take to bridge gaps in understanding:
- Recognize Bias: Understand that your sense of what is "obvious" or "commonsensical" is shaped by your background. Recognizing this bias can help improve communication and reduce frustration when others don’t share your views.
- Encourage Diverse Perspectives: In group settings, whether in the workplace or during political discussions, encourage the sharing of different viewpoints. This helps broaden the collective understanding of what is considered common sense, making it easier to find compromise.
- Contextualize Decisions: Be mindful that decisions or judgments that seem obvious to you may not be so for someone else. Take time to explain the reasoning behind your decisions, especially in culturally or ideologically diverse settings.
- Prepare for AI's Limitations: As AI systems become more integrated into our lives, it’s important to be aware of their limitations in handling "common sense" situations. Humans will still need to oversee and correct AI decisions that rely on intuitive judgments or ambiguous contexts.
Conclusion
The notion of common sense as a universal, shared set of principles is more of a myth than a reality. Recent research highlights how common sense is heavily shaped by personal experiences, social environments, and even political ideologies. This understanding has important implications for navigating social and political discussions and for the future development of AI. By recognizing that common sense isn’t as common as we think, we can foster more productive conversations, reduce polarization, and make better decisions as we adapt to a rapidly evolving world.
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