Ideas@TheCentre
Enlightenment musings
Meegan Cornforth |
19 March 2010
A contemporary (and critic) of the great philosopher, economist and sceptic, David Hume, Reid followed Adam Smith (author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments) as Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1764.
Reid was also the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense. Yes, a school of common sense. Sounds like a good idea. However, the term ‘common sense’ in this instance was used in the philosophical sense of sensus communis, or simply put, an idea, intrinsic value, or prejudice common to all, as opposed to the modern definition of practical, sensible judgment – which is not necessarily common to all. Witness adolescent male drivers on a Saturday night!
This particular school of philosophy flourished in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and was established in opposition to Hume’s empiricist theory of knowledge.
But the notion of common sense, whether considered in terms of eighteenth century or contemporary usage, is subjective. While an understanding or belief may be common, it is not necessarily universal, and widespread conviction is no assurance of veracity. What one person considers sensible, another may view as ridiculous, and what is sensible in one situation may be impractical in another. And legislating common sense is a difficult task fraught with the risk of nanny-ish authoritarianism. So how does a classical liberal reconcile the good sense of common sense with the belief in the uniqueness and primacy of individuals? Whatever the answer, perhaps we should establish a twenty-first century School of Common Sense for boys with souped-up cars.
Meegan Cornforth is The Centre for Independent Studies’ Events Manager and resident Enlightenment novice.
