What is meant by common-sense, is it public opinion, a reasonable
and sensible attitude towards events, people’s actions, or individuals? The
media love to quote common sense as the end product of what is correct and
desirable. But all too often common-sense is full of error, prejudice or just
plain daftness. When we submit such attitudes to philosophical examination we
find all sorts of contradictions.
How true is what we think about love, money, children, work, religion,
politics and the hundred and one attitudes that we imagine are held in common
by everyone. To truly think is to know yourself. How logical are our answers to
the above questions? Or are our opinions simply some established position we
have learnt and accepted over time.
Philosophical answers to these questions require commitment to
self-knowledge. Follow Socrates advice and know yourself. Humans spend the
greater part of their lives searching for happiness, we over rate things that
we think will improve our lives. We are guided by false hopes, false glamour.
While we underestimate simple things, going to bed earlier to improve our
health, taking daily walks or exercise, have a structured conservation with
people we love or like. Pay attention to activities and attitudes that will improve
your life. We need to analyse our emotional response to life’s events so they don’t
impact on behaviour.
What matters and what doesn’t is our ability to undertake
long term thinking.
No comments:
Post a Comment