The Difference Between Common Sense and Science - 1248 Words

The difference between common sense and science. Plainly stated common sense is information gathered from everyday knowledge and science is thorough research on a particular subject with concluded facts. In a wilderness of common sense, science stands a lonely pinnacle One of the strongest features of science is that it can correct our seriously flawed cognition and give us an unfiltered view of reality. Most people put a lot of faith into relying on common sense and intuition, but as any psychologist will tell you, this faith is misplaced. Science helps us to understand the universe by freeing us from a reliance on gut-feelings or unchecked reasoning hopelessly rooted in the unsystematic software of our brains. Common sense, as†¦show more content†¦Theory Theories construct the enterprise of science. A theory is an abstraction that applies to variety of circumstances, explaining relationships and phenomena, based upon objective evidence. For example, evolution is a theory that applies to a wide range of phenomena (the diversity of life, development, etc.), and explains the observations of said phenomena, all of which is based upon evidence. Gravity too is a theory, explaining the phenomena that we observe in interactions of bodies with mass. To get technical: Science uses conceptual schemes and theoretical structures built through internal consistency which are empirically tested. Scientists also realize that these are man-made terms that may or may not exhibit a close relationship to reality (but with objectivity we try our best). The distinction between this structure of thought and common sense should be, well, common sense. Common sense has no structure to it, is explicitly subjective, and is subject to all manner of cognitive biases. There is no need for testing, replication, or verification when you are reasoning for yourself. No checks for you to pass or fail, no peers reviewing. It is no wonder why science is so much better at explaining things. Testing/Verification Unlike common sense or intuition, science systematically and empirically tests theories and hypothesis. This is important when viewed in the lightShow MoreRelatedThe Difference Between Common Sense and Science1262 Words   |  6 PagesThe difference between common sense and science. Plainly stated common sense is information gathered from everyday knowledge and science is thorough research on a particular subject with concluded facts. In a wilderness of common sense, science stands a lonely pinnacle One of the strongest features of science is that it can correct our seriously flawed cognition and give us an unfiltered view of reality. Most people put a lot of faith into relying on common sense and intuition, but as any psychologistRead MoreSociological And Common Sense Understanding1341 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to Sociology Throughout this essay, I will explain the distinction between sociological and common sense understanding, highlight the differences between sociology and other social sciences, and evaluate two sociological perspectives – Marxism and feminism. Sociology is the scientific study of human society. It examines the development of social structures, and the interaction between these structures and human behaviour. Sociologists aim to provide tools of understanding the processRead MoreThe Constant Struggle Between Science And Religion856 Words   |  4 PagesThe constant struggle between science and religion is immense, the constant debated question being whether the two can coexist. To this, I agree, the two can coexist if both respect each other’s opinions and do not impose their own beliefs on the others. However, questions that require answering either through science or religion are how we determine reality, how should we live in this world, and what is our ultimate purpose. Either a mixture of the two or one can be chosen, this is determined byRead MoreThe Science of Psychology Essay1122 Words   |  5 PagesThe Science of Psychology â€Å"Psychology is the scientific study of mind, brain and behaviour. Some of what you do learn may seem like ‘common sense’, or at least familiar to you because you are learning about topics in which you can relate to. However some things you may believe is true, but is incorrect. The way we know this is through the application of scientific methods.† Mark Leary suggests that the subject matter of psychology is much more familiar to mostRead MoreThe Knowledge Of The Arts And Science Essay971 Words   |  4 PagesIn Metaphysics 1.1 , Aristotle claims â€Å"All men by nature desire to know† (980a) and that this knowledge is freedom. Shortly after claiming man’s want to have knowledge, he begins to distinguish between man and animal; all animals have the knowledge of sense - feeling the cold of a snowflake, or the seeing the sun go down - this all beings have. Aristotle then goes on to describe additional types of knowledge that become more exclusive to the human experience as they go further. Memory knowledge,Read MoreJohn Romanos Coming Home to Television: A Review1229 Words   |  5 PagesComing Home to Television. The essay addresses the differences between what is considered highbrow versus what is considered lowbrow art and creative expression, especially in the realm of literature. Ironically, Romano writes about television from a scholarly perspective. He is only somewhat sarc astic when Romano notes that the transition from academia to television script writing was a step down. Walter Karp does not address the differences between writing for school and writing for television. HoweverRead MoreAp Psych Outline1683 Words   |  7 PagesWith Psychological Science Outline The Need for Psychological Science Two phenomena- hindsight bias and judgmental overconfidence- illustrate why we can’t rely solely on intuition and common sense. The Limits of Intuition and Common Sense Our intuition can lead us astray. Did We Know It All Along? Hindsight Bias Hindsight bias- The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon) Common sense describes what hasRead MoreThe Differences Between Science And Religion913 Words   |  4 PagesOften claims are made that science and religion are incompatible; the two cannot coexist as to believe in God contradicts scientific belief. To look at science and think of it in a completely separate field to religion is not true a true reflection of the relationship between the two. Science and religion overlap in several ways. They both affect our everyday decisions and impact on the way we view and understand the world around us. They both address ‘the same world, the same reality.’ just in differentRead More1. Yes, I Read The Assignment In Full Detail.. 2. My Thoughts1030 Words   |  5 Pagesthat there is no practical difference between a material and a theistic world without a thorough understanding of what is meant by the terms being used. It seems to be the case that materialism is commonly used to describe a world of mind-independent substances that are in stable, constant existence. Furthermore, theism seems to refer to an all-powerful being known as God. I can agree with James that, if it is the case that the world only seems to be spiritual in a sense and is actually completelyRead MoreSimilar Ideas Presented in Blade Runner by Ridley Scott and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 1469 Words   |  6 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley deals with the kinship to the natural world set in the Romantic Era and enlightenment period. However Blade Runner, although subjected by a different context, also portrays a similar idea to Frankenstein; the fear of science and technology coupled with the value of the definition of a human. Through this commonality, we are able to utilise the values of Blade Runner in order to truly understand Shelley’s purpose. During the 1980’s, the increasing amount of industrialisation