Common Sense: A Defense

According to one wit, the problem with common sense is that it is not common anymore! What is the philosophical defense of common sense and why does it matter? We consider the question of idealism, “truisms” and falsehoods, certainty and doubt, the refutation of scepticism, realism and metaphysics, among others. We will also consider the importance of common sense now, especially in the context of global misinformation, disinformation and hyper-simulation, and the role of education in the digital age.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Russell, Bertrand, A History of Western Philosophy
• Moore, GE., Philosophical Papers (1959): A Defence of Common Sense
• Wittgenstein L., On Certainty
• Stroud B., The Significance of Philosophical Skepticism
• Ayer, AJ., Metaphysics and Common Sense
• Starkey, L., Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age

COURSE OUTLINE

• What is common sense?
• The challenge of scepticism
• Metaphysics and idealism
• On certainty, truth and falsehood

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the nature of common sense (and education)
2. Understand the nature of idealism and major objections to it
3. Understand the question of truth and certainty
4. Understand the nature of Scepticism and major arguments against it