DS Assignment 9 - Coursework Example

Common Sense and Science Discussion The word common sense can be defined as the information gathered from everyday knowledge (Joomee, 2012). On the other hand, science refers to a thorough research on a particular subject with concluded facts (Joomee, 2012). Moreover, it is considered that science stands lonely pinnacle in the wilderness of commonsense (Joomee, 2012). To elaborate on this, science has the capability of correcting different perceived flawed cognition. This means that science offers solution by providing unfiltered view of truth.

Despite the fact that many people do spend most time believing in their common sense; it has been proved that this faith is misplaced. Moreover, science helps us in understanding the universe by freeing us from reliance on gut-feelings hopeless reasoning of our brains (Joomee, 2012). Additionally, common sense basically is a poor master when it comes to decision making.The other difference between science and common sense is that science has an established mechanism of controlling or eliminating other concepts (Joomee, 2012).

This is precisely directed to concepts that do not explain a phenomenon with evidence. Contrary to this, use of common sense only pretend to use analytical methods in decision making but the truth is it is never used. Most philosophers always refer the term belief to mean the attitude we have whenever we acknowledge something to be the case or regard it to be true (Douglas, 2000). It is considered that most people have the tendency of believing in anything that comes from them even when it is blatantly contradicting (Douglas, 2000).

There is connection between belief and common sense. It is clear that both don’t involve in active reflection of the scenario before making decision. In both cases decisions are reached on without engaging the mind in seeking evidence based on knowledge about the situation. The other connecting factor between beliefs and common sense is faith. In both scenarios most decision to do something arises due to strong faith the person has toward the belief or what his senses are directing (Friedman, 2004).

Belief perseverance can broadly be defined as the tendency of passionately rejecting convincing proof or evidence and become even more tenaciously held when the belief has been publicly announced to the others (Douglas, 2000).This is a critical decision since it has adverse impact when it comes to critical thinking. Most psychologists have revealed that there people who naturally have the tendency of failing to admit foundational premises are incorrect (Douglas, 2000). Belief perseverance to some people is very strong such that they don’t even think about obvious facts.

For example, when one is told to believe that angels cured his disease and not the drugs he took. The fact is that if one suffers from Malaria disease, delays in treatment result to death and there is no doubt about it. But belief perseverance will make an individual to strongly believe it is angels who cured despite using drugs (Joomee, 2012).One of the strategies that work well when making a decision that is sandwiched between personal beliefs and critical thinking is to think independently.

This is simply thinking to oneself. This is because; many of our traditional beliefs are acquired much at an early stage of growth (The Critical Thinking Community, 2013). At this stage, children do believe in everything their parents say. Therefore, it is easy to incorporate traditional beliefs permanently in their minds. When one uses independent thinking to make a decision, independency of the environment allows one to figure things out and recognize possible outcomes (The Critical Thinking Community, 2013).

During this time, one has room to incorporate all relevant knowledge and insight into their thoughts and behavior (The Critical Thinking Community, 2013). Independent thinkers also take responsibilities of their mistakes and never do they need to be told what to do and what not to do (The Critical Thinking Community, 2013). References Douglas, N. (2000). Enemies of Critical Thinking: Lesson from Social Psychology Research. Taylor & Francis, 1, 0270-2711.Friedman, S. (2004). Learning to make more effective decisions: Changing beliefs as a prelude to action.

The Learning Organization, 11 (2/3), 110–128.Joomee. (2012). The Difference between Common Sense and Science. Accessed on April6, 2014 from http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Difference-Between-Common-Sense-And- 1083925.html. The Critical Thinking Community. (2013). Strategy List: 35 Dimensions of Critical Thought. Accessed on April 6, 2014, from https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/strategy-list-35- dimensions-of-critical-thought/466.