Derleth, I probably should not reply to your post, but I guess I will. My definition of common sense is not the same as yours. Apparently, you see it as a limited perception…maybe the idea that we only believe in what we can see and feel. And faith is what is required to go beyond that.
Sure, that is a “common” definition…like something my mother would tell me. As I stated earlier, my definition is more complex. I would say that your definition is closer to something simple…as in simple conclusion…commonly accepted…or popular opinion.
I define common sense as a form of abstract or deductive reasoning…as in choosing between right and wrong. Nothing simple or common about it. In fact, I would speculate that half of all Americans don’t have an abundance of common sense. By “your” definition, everyone has it.
To me, faith is not the polar opposite, but a product of it. With “my” common sense, we may not solve an elaborate equation, but we can separate fact from fiction. And we can build a foundation for faith.
Maybe there is a better phrase than “common sense” for “my” definition. For “your” definition, I would use the phrase “at first glance”. After extensive study and maybe some inspiration, we can use my common sense to help define matters that a computer cannot.
In fact, “my” common sense tells us that souls do exist. “Your” common sense tells us that money is truly the most important fact of life. Maybe I should quit using the phrase and start saying “after many hours of study, comparative analysis, and deductive reasoning”.
But I do understand your point. One of my goals in writing my book on the meaning of life is to develop an equation that helps establish that common sense is our most important tool in achieving our life purpose. If I were going to limit my beliefs to what I can see and touch, then faith would have no meaning. And faith is the second most important tool we have.
Once we have matured emotionally and mentally, we can embrace spirituality. It starts with common sense, then faith, and then inspiration. The “at first glance” method would be to accept life as it is presented to us by our peers…starting with faith…and bypassing common sense entirely…resulting in false inspiration. I call that brainwashing, which is the accepted method of achieving spirituality.
My quest has always been truth, and common sense helps to weed out the lies.