An Exploration of ‘Common Sense(s)’ in Neo-Confucianism

This paper proposes an exploration of notions of common sense within Chinese Neo-Confucianism. While common sense has played a key role in the history of European traditions, indicating both lower and higher types of knowledge depending on its context of usage, the notion has been rarely explored in the context of non-European traditions. In the following discussion, I propose to interpret specific aspects of Neo-Confucian theories of knowledge as theories of common sense that, while greatly differing from each other, nevertheless point to a practical endeavour or a modus operandi with a twofold relevance; on the one hand, common sense denotes a shared practical knowledge which serves as a necessary basis for common experience and understanding while, on the other hand, it also signals that which needs to be challenged in order to acquire higher knowledge of both the self and reality in general. Since Neo-Confucianism is a broad and diverse philosophical tradition, the discussion will focus on the theories elaborated by the two Cheng brothers (Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao) and Wang Yangming, as they represent two major philosophical tendencies that display differing understandings of common sense. In the first section, I start by making some preliminary remarks with regard to the role of common sense in European philosophical discourse, as well as considering a set of methodological challenges posed by the aim of my discussion. I then examine a set of core elements within which Neo-Confucian theories of knowledge are inscribed, with particular focus on li 理 (‘principle’, ‘pattern’, ‘coherence’), the nature ( xing 性) and the heartmind ( xin 心). On the basis of these elements, section three is devoted to discussing the Chengs’ theory of the investigation of things ( gewu 格物) and Wang Yangming’s elaboration of pure knowing ( liangzhi 良知), on the basis of which I propose to individuate two differing notions of common sense. I conclude by considering the potential dangers of universalising notions of common sense as well as the merits of cross-cultural analysis in improving our understanding of the meaning and function of this notion.