Common Sense and Integrative Thinking

Common Sense and Integrative Thinking

Introduction

Common sense is defined in a number of ways; some may say it is sound judgment not based on specialized knowledge otherwise known as native good judgment or sound judgment derived from experience rather than study. Alternatively, it maybe wise judgment based on insight rather than circumstances or facts (Ikerd 30). However, these definitions are determined by the surroundings; for example at the work place, common sense is defined by the experience. Practical incidences experienced determine how one is going to react to them. There are fundamental principles about common sense, for example, some things are logically common to everyone. Overall common sense is based on reality and results in practical intelligence.

Discussion

The concept of an integrative thinker is seen as a person who has the predisposition capacity to hold two diametrically opposing ideas in their heads and without panicking, they are able to produce a synthesis that is superior to either opposing idea. Being innovative and creative is essential in this process. Who would have thought that it pays well to be a creative consultant? This involves a lot of integrative thinking by understanding the thought process involved. One can move from an attitude of ‘either or’ and move to an attitude of both. Integrative thinking helps you find out the solutions to more complex situations (Benson and Dresdow 507).

General common sense is based on reality rather than experience. Common sense affects an individual way of thinking. The purpose of complexity of organizational thinking is the ability to integrate diverse facts as ideas, issues and connections into more comprehensive integrative thinking for decisions. This bases the relationship between common sense and integrative thinking. On the surface, common sense is seen as incompatible with interactive thinking or alternatively common sense can enrich integrative thinking. Synthesis and analysis is that both are essential in the public policy work and complement each other. Synthesis, which can also be termed as integrative thinking, is needed to break the thought pattern thus generating new ideas. This type of thinking is vital for decision-making. However, skill is also needed in analyzing than common sense would be needed.

For policy planning and implementation, common sense and integrative thinking are vital. The two are not much of the psychological facts but related. Common sense and critical thinking are principles that focus on associated diversity of the psychological facts. This two are related to the arguments perceived by the common value and the known ideas (Ikerd 31). In a non-professional term, common sense is seen as generally practical attitude and instantly accepted beliefs and with not much argument on the action. This can be detected as curiosity or instant reaction of a person; it is the way or behavior without much thinking and visualizing things as they are. In addition, it is a spontaneous reaction to certain situations. Examples can be how things look like on the surface and in the subconscious mind. Chances are when you smile at someone they will smile back. This applies to animals too. On hearing a beep or a buzz instantly, an animal on the road will move out fast (Benson and Dresdow 509).

Relating common sense and integrative thinking is challenging because common sense is more or less unlearned behavior while, integrative thinking is the habitual alteration of facts that are acquired through learning. These facts are experienced and visualized according to the scientific facts and their figures. It involves concluding on two opposing conditions that are unique in nature. It is practical to understand what is proven facts rather than what you acquire through learning. In this case, the two differ from each other; integrative differs from the common ideal of thinking or the more practical common sense. Integrative thinking requires one to study two opposing ideas and on its actual form but in conclusion; one is able to have positive and favorable solutions. Integrative thinking is opposed to arguments of fear, but creates to seek powerful ideas (Benson and Dresdow 508).

It is argued that integrative thinkers are able to visualize the invisible and create form to ideas, concepts or strategies. They rely on rich inventory of visual metaphors and other proprietary tools that help create the continuality, clarity and validate the deliverables. In the decision making process they choose what to listen to and what not to listen to. Helping them to decide what features are important and what features are not. It is important for the integrative thinker to know the sense in what they see and look out for the relation they believe to exist between the various pieces in the puzzle. In there way of thinking, they look at every step in a specific way. They focus more on the features of the problem as the relevant solution

The interesting part about every one is that their understanding is built on the world around us and to some extend it is similar in a way. Five things are essential when leveraging common sense. One of the essential things to do is to initiate a conversation based on experience majoring on the positive and not the negative. People’s past experiences have a strong effect on how they have shaped their view of common sense. In the conversation as you try to focus on the key thing, try not to divert the conversation to other things. In building the foundation of dialogue, one is able to encourage understanding and learning. This approach fosters seeing the holistic approach of the shared meanings. As the dialogue unfolds, one is able to acquire better judgment of the causes to the problem and the success of the solutions. In this case, careful introspection and inward questioning is important.

Question asking is important to make good judgment and identifying the complexity of each individual. Wanting to know the belief system of a person is important. This is common sense in itself, for one is able to discover assumptions that he or she earlier had. It is also significant to determine what is adequate. Engaging in numerous purposes helps in the thinking process on different levels of the situation. It is significant to know who the characters involved are. Thinking in terms of purpose rather than the problem decreases the probability of biasness. The common sense knowledge will dictate purpose (Benson and Dresdow 511).

It is more or less tasking in making decisions for a team of people that are paying attention to resolving an issue. The team’s ability to work together makes them develop strong standards and inner processes helping them obtain the ability in finding a solution. Common sense dictates in establishing connections to build on the already acquired social skills. Intuition plays part in making informed decisions. However, this is not a notion to rely on always because it may lead one astray (Ikerd 31). Intulogical thinking which relates both logic and intuitive thinking stems from common sense but it still requires the two to be linked together. This form of thinking identifies the restrictions and focuses on the objectives to create an unbiasness related to overconfidence and self-correction. Optimism is a core value in commonsense and integrative thinking; it supports identifying with the problem. People in good conditions expect fewer threats when concerned with less susceptible circumstances.

Integrative thinking model on the other hand reflects on the aftermath despite of the thinking style in which people connect. The thinking is however framed in steps and actions associated with each other. The thinker is able to note the outstanding factors. He or she welcomes complexity. In addition, he or she is allowed to question on the validity of the factors presented to him or her. The process of making a decision focuses on the different factors on the issues and examined to see the outcome. In a way, this criterion of solving issues resolves the tension among the competing choices’ common sense and it seems to be a better alternative to this process. Looking at the problems, the decision makers are able to access the facts, categorize them and base their decisions on the assessment. However, common sense does not exactly limit a person in the integrative thinking process but forms a foundation in solving or dealing with less demanding solutions (Benson and Dresdow 514).

Do computers have common sense knowledge? It is very wrong to have this perception. The machine has the ability to follow its commands and do the creative tasks. Identifying common knowledge items can be termed as common sense. In history, we note that at a certain time what was considered common sense is irrelevant to now. What made sense before does not really have to be the same in this time and age. Most people view the earth as flat; in certain instances, common sense has proved to be untrue. Many common sense judgments are blinded by prejudice. This is true for both large and small groups. In science, common sense always conflicts with verified results and this makes common sense highly controversial when it comes to scientific experiments. Einstein’s famous definition was that “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by the age of eighteen” (Ikerd 31). Most scientists claim the inadequacy of common sense.

Conclusion

In conclusion, most multi-displinary studies agree that there is minimum pre-requisite for common sense to be valid as a form of knowledge. Common sense should be seen as consistent knowledge that does not keep on fluctuating from time to time and should be very free of discrimination and prejudiced bias. Common sense is open to criticism and its evaluative standards. In the present world, common sense is double-faced. It is either helpful or perilous. Common sense judgments and beliefs are most often shared by members of the same group for example social, political religious or scientific

Works Cited

Benson, J. and S. Dresdow. “Common Sense and Integrative Thinking.” Management Decision. 47.3 (2009): 508-517. Print.

Dryden, Gordon and Jeannette Vos. The Learning Revolution: To Change the Way the World Learns. Torrance, Calif: The Learning Web, 1999. Print

Ikerd, John. Sustainable Capitalism: A Matter of Common Sense. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press, 2005. Print.

 

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