Commonsense and Sociology - I

Summary

This lecture introduces the foundational sociology topic of common sense and its relationship to systematic social study. It explains that common sense consists of everyday beliefs and practices that seem obvious but are culturally specific, sometimes partial, and rarely questioned. Drawing on Durkheim, Bourdieu, and Marx, the lecture highlights how common sense emerges from socialization, habitus, and the dominant ideas of society, reflecting material relationships and power structures. Sociology, in contrast, interrogates these beliefs, seeking objective understanding of social institutions like family, marriage, and work. The session underscores the importance of critically analyzing common sense to grasp society comprehensively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Common sense is a widely familiar concept, but its significance in sociology is often misunderstood. The break between common sense and sociology is key to understanding sociology as a systematic study of society.
• 😀 Sociology, social anthropology, and cultural anthropology study common sense, but it is often misnamed as 'common' or 'sensible' because it varies greatly across cultures and can be partial, discriminatory, or stereotypical.
• 😀 Common sense is not universal. What may seem common in one culture (e.g., driving on the left side) might be completely different in another culture (e.g., driving on the right side).
• 😀 Common sense is based on self-evident truths or popular opinions, which are not the result of critical reflection but of societal consensus. It lacks the depth of scientific inquiry.
• 😀 The concept of habitus explains how routine behaviors become socially ingrained and perceived as 'common sense'—they become objective truths that shape our daily actions and beliefs.
• 😀 Common sense is both implicit (simple, obvious, and practical knowledge) and explicit (socially agreed upon ideas that are publicly legitimized).
• 😀 The implicit dimension of common sense is practical and prescriptive, guiding how we navigate society without questioning deeper assumptions.
• 😀 The explicit dimension of common sense involves publicly shared ideas that reflect societal power structures and collective beliefs, often imposing 'official' views of what is normal or acceptable.
• 😀 Sociological analysis interrogates common sense, asking 'why' to challenge assumptions, while common sense simply accepts them as practical truths without questioning.
• 😀 The ruling ideas in society, as explained by Marx, reflect the dominant material relationships of that society. For example, the ideas of competition in a capitalist society contrast with ideas of loyalty and hierarchy in a feudal society.
• 😀 Sociology's role is to critically examine these common sense ideas, which influence how we understand key concepts like family, marriage, and gender, by questioning their origins and social function.

Q & A

What is the significance of studying common sense in sociology?

The significance lies in understanding how common sense, while seemingly self-evident, often reflects cultural biases, stereotypes, and unequal power structures. Sociology challenges these unexamined ideas by systematically questioning them, offering a deeper understanding of society.

How does common sense differ from sociology?

Common sense is based on widely held beliefs and practices that are not critically examined, while sociology is a systematic, scientific study of society that involves questioning and analyzing those beliefs. Sociology seeks to understand the root causes of social behaviors, whereas common sense simply accepts them as facts.

Why is common sense misnamed according to sociology?

Common sense is misnamed because it is neither common to all cultures nor always sensible. What may seem common in one culture, like driving on the left side of the road, may be completely different in another. Additionally, common sense ideas can often be discriminatory or nonsensical when critically examined.

How does sociology engage with common sense?

Sociology engages with common sense by critically examining and deconstructing the ideas and practices that are taken for granted. Sociologists ask 'why' certain ideas exist and who benefits from them, questioning the power dynamics behind seemingly universal beliefs.

What role does 'habitus' play in understanding common sense?

Habitus refers to the ingrained behaviors and norms shaped by society. It contributes to the formation of common sense by establishing standard ways of living, thinking, and acting within a particular cultural context, making these practices appear objective and natural.

What are the implicit and explicit dimensions of common sense?

The implicit dimension of common sense involves its simplicity and transparency, as it is taken for granted and appears obvious. The explicit dimension refers to the public and social act of legitimizing these beliefs, often aligning with the power structures of society and enforcing dominant norms.

How does sociology differ from the everyday understanding of concepts like family or marriage?

Sociology studies institutions like family or marriage in their social and cultural contexts, whereas common sense views them through personal, unquestioned beliefs. Sociology seeks to understand the deeper, often hidden, societal forces that shape these concepts, whereas common sense simply accepts them as natural or self-evident.

Why is it important to reflect on common sense in sociology?

Reflecting on common sense is crucial because it helps uncover how societal beliefs may reinforce inequality and exclusion. Sociology provides a framework for challenging these taken-for-granted ideas, promoting a more inclusive and reflective understanding of social structures.

What role do power dynamics play in shaping common sense ideas?

Power dynamics shape common sense by determining which ideas are deemed legitimate or 'normal.' Dominant groups in society enforce their beliefs as common sense, which often marginalizes alternative perspectives. This is why common sense ideas are closely linked to the ruling class's interests.

How do Marx and Bourdieu contribute to the understanding of common sense?

Marx and Bourdieu both argue that the ruling class's ideas become the dominant 'common sense' of society. For Marx, the ideas of the ruling class reflect the material relationships of power, while Bourdieu emphasizes how these ideas become embedded in culture and perpetuated through habitus.