Common sense is anchor

[coberst]

Common sense is anchor

We live, love, and learn by metaphor. ‘Common sense is anchor’ is, I am convinced, a useful metaphor for learning.

In what sense is common sense an anchor?

An anchor keeps us steady when we just want to lie on deck either sleeping or day-dreaming. It keeps us safely anchored in place. It is our security. If we put one out fore and aft we cannot move without a great force compelling us to move.

However, the anchor functions as security only in shallow water.

To go to sea, to explore, to discover the adventure of the deep water and distant shores one must ‘up anchor’, one must dislodge the anchor from solid ground and take a leap of faith, we must learn to develop confidence in our instincts and to navigate by the stars. It entails risk; but what form of action can we indulge our self in if we remain at anchor?

All of this is just to set the stage for stating my conviction that we must put on hold our common sense while we explore a new domain of knowledge. I am not talking about what happens in school where the teacher takes us by the hand and shows us charts and maps about other lands wherein we never leave anchor. I am talking about what we must do when our school days are over and we wish to find a new means to reach another intellectual domain.

We must place on hold our common sense while exploring new domains of knowledge until we have gained sufficient knowledge about these new domains to make good judgments. Of course, this requires that we do ‘due diligence’ when choosing our maps and charts before we set out. Seek out the best minds as your guide when entering a new domain of knowledge and then up anchor for a voyage of discovery.

Quantum Theory and Psychology are two examples of domains of knowledge that cannot possibly be explored while clutching a security blanket.

Do you think ‘common sense is anchor’ is a valid metaphor?

Have you ever explored a new domain of knowledge without a teacher at your side?

[hitch1978]

I like the idea of your metaphor. But I don't think it works.

I think if you substitute common sense in the OP with a '?', and asked, 'when you up anchor and head for deep waters, and rough seas, what are the best tools for survival?' I think common sense is one of them.

I love the idea of what you were saying, I just prefer one of these -

'Stubborness is anchor.' (I am a terrible speller)
'Introvertednes is anchor.' (I also make up words I believe)
'Inacceptance is anchor.'
'feeling superior is anchor.'

I liked the post though.

[m_the0ry]

Common sense is the name we give to products of a massive subset of systems that process data all day without us being 'conscious' of them. If they were not hidden from 'conscious' view, then we would forever be tied up doing mundane things. Common sense is really a body of knowledge that is so commonly used that it is automated. It varies among cultures, professions and age groups. It is dynamic and one of the greatest weapons we have for innovation and creativity. Very little changes in the way we are capable of consciously thinking about things, but the symbols we use to represent these things can change greatly. This is where common sense comes in. This is why we can represent a chair as something to sit on, rather than a collection of pieces of wood.

[coberst]

[ QUOTE ]
I like the idea of your metaphor. But I don't think it works.

I think if you substitute common sense in the OP with a '?', and asked, 'when you up anchor and head for deep waters, and rough seas, what are the best tools for survival?' I think common sense is one of them.

I love the idea of what you were saying, I just prefer one of these -

'Stubborness is anchor.' (I am a terrible speller)
'Introvertednes is anchor.' (I also make up words I believe)
'Inacceptance is anchor.'
'feeling superior is anchor.'

I liked the post though.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are correct. I should have made clear regarding the use of common sense in those matters that are known. One must not discard common sense in practical matters that are not part of the domain of knowledge under study.

[coberst]

[ QUOTE ]
Common sense is the name we give to products of a massive subset of systems that process data all day without us being 'conscious' of them. If they were not hidden from 'conscious' view, then we would forever be tied up doing mundane things. Common sense is really a body of knowledge that is so commonly used that it is automated. It varies among cultures, professions and age groups. It is dynamic and one of the greatest weapons we have for innovation and creativity. Very little changes in the way we are capable of consciously thinking about things, but the symbols we use to represent these things can change greatly. This is where common sense comes in. This is why we can represent a chair as something to sit on, rather than a collection of pieces of wood.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are right. One cannot place on hold our complete world view but must put on hold that part that relates to the study under taken. Perhaps the procss of placing disbelief on hold might be more correct.

[MidGe]

[ QUOTE ]
You are right. One cannot place on hold our complete world view but must put on hold that part that relates to the study under taken. Perhaps the procss of placing disbelief on hold might be more correct.


[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
You are correct. I should have made clear regarding the use of common sense in those matters that are known. One must not discard common sense in practical matters that are not part of the domain of knowledge under study.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, just about anyone, reading, and trying to understand the above statements will be befuddled.

You really have little ideas, right? But you are reading and whatever you are reading make sense to you, right? My suggestion is you seek professional help before you are completely over the top!

[coberst]

Midge

Thanks for your concern.