In an age where information is abundant and not all of it trustworthy, the ability to critically evaluate sources, understand context, and apply common sense reasoning is crucial. This includes recognizing credible sources, understanding the motives behind the information presented, and reflecting on one’s biases. In essence, fostering a culture of critical thinking and skepticism towards unverified information is key to combating the spread of misinformation and ensuring a well-informed public.
The vast amount of information available online, combined with the speed at which it spreads, makes it challenging for individuals to discern fact from fiction. Misinformation exploits biases, plays on emotions, and often spreads more rapidly than factual information due to its sensational nature. Propaganda, with its strategic aim to influence public opinion or behavior, further complicates the information landscape by presenting biased or misleading facts with the intent to persuade or manipulate.
Commonsense reasoning encourages individuals to critically evaluate information before accepting it as true. This involves questioning the source, examining the evidence, and considering the plausibility of claims based on everyday knowledge and experiences. This critical stance helps people avoid being misled.
By nurturing the ability to think independently and critically and being able to read between the lines, common sense reasoning empowers individuals to make informed decisions without overly relying on external authorities. In a world where information can be weaponized, this autonomy is crucial for maintaining personal freedom and resisting manipulation. Common Sense reasoning, grounded in widely accepted facts and logical principles, can help bridge divides by finding common ground. In disputes fueled by misinformation, a return to basic, agreed-upon truths can pave the way for constructive discourse.
While everyone has biases, commonsense reasoning can help mitigate their influence on our understanding of information. By focusing on logic and evidence rather than emotion or ideology, individuals can more objectively assess the credibility of information, distinguishing between fact and manipulation.
The appeal to common sense reasoning is therefore very crucial in contrast to the proliferation of misinformation and propaganda on the internet. Commonsense reasoning, grounded in basic, self-evident truths and logical deductions, helps us navigate the world through critical thinking, evidence evaluation, and the application of practical knowledge from personal experience. This approach encourages questioning assumptions, seeking credible sources, and engaging in reflective thought. A healthy level of skepticism is a component of common sense reasoning, encouraging individuals to question information critically. After all, God created our brains to enable us to think and not just accept whatever we read or hear.
The Media and the internet, have become a breeding ground for misinformation and propaganda. The vast amount of information and its rapid dissemination challenge our ability to distinguish fact from fiction. Misinformation, exploiting biases and emotions, often spreads faster than factual information due to its sensational nature. Propaganda aims to influence public opinion or behavior by presenting biased or misleading facts, complicating the information landscape.
Social media algorithms often feed users information that aligns with their existing beliefs, reinforcing a sense of “common sense” that is actually insular and unchallenged. This environment can make it difficult to differentiate between genuinely grounded common sense arguments and those rooted in conspiracy theories.
This contrast highlights the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills. The ability to evaluate sources critically, understand context, and apply common sense reasoning is essential in recognizing credible information, understanding motives behind presented information, and reflecting on biases.
The discussion around common sense reasoning and biblical facts for example, touches on logic, faith, and interpretation. Common Sense reasoning is empirical, requiring evidence and leaning on critical thinking. Biblical facts involve accepting spiritual truths and historical accounts as exact truths without empirical evidence. This can sometimes conflict with scientific explanations, leading to debates on topics like the creation of the universe and the issues surrounding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
The role of religion in the Israel-Palestine land ownership conflict is profound, shaped by historical, theological, and cultural narratives. For many Jews, the land is central to identity, intertwined and enforced by biblical promises. For Palestinians, many of whom are Muslim, the land holds profound religious significance, including Jerusalem, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The religious narratives contribute to the conflict’s complexity, making compromise in discourse difficult as religious indoctrination and brainwashing takes centre stage in contrast to practical and factual common sense reasoning.
Similarly, the role of propaganda and brainwashing in demonising, lawfaring, and victimising former president Trump is another case in point. People simply can’t explain why they hate him so much.
Practical common sense reasoning is critical in a world riddled with misinformation, falsehoods, indoctrination and propaganda. It involves critical evaluation, reducing bias, adaptability, promoting rational discourse, empowering autonomy, and building consensus. These qualities help navigate misinformation, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, media literacy, and evidence-based discussions.
Common sense reasoning is sometimes mistakenly conflated with conspiracy theories due to simplification of complex issues, skepticism, cognitive biases, emotional engagement, communication in echo chambers, and a lack of media literacy. The ability to critically evaluate sources of information is crucial in distinguishing between common sense reasoning and conspiracy theories. A lack of media literacy can lead individuals to dismiss valid common sense reasoning as conspiratorial simply because it challenges their understanding. Cognitive biases affect how we process information and make decisions. Confirmation bias, for instance, leads people to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs.
Both common sense reasoning and conspiracy theories can be deeply influenced by emotional responses. When people feel anxious, threatened, or disenfranchised, they may gravitate towards explanations that resonate emotionally, even if those explanations lack empirical support. This emotional engagement can lead to the misinterpretation of common sense reasoning as conspiratorial, especially if it aligns with one’s fears or suspicions.
To navigate these challenges, fostering critical thinking, enhancing media literacy, and encouraging open discussions are crucial. Encouraging commonsense reasoning among the public promotes a culture of rational discourse. This approach values evidence-based arguments and constructive dialogue over sensationalism and divisive rhetoric, contributing to a more informed and less polarized society.
Chima Nnadi-Oforgu
Duruebube Ihiagwa Ofo asato
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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