Research On The History Of “Changshi” (常识)

Common Sense is the password of group identity and the base of human civilization.“Changshi”（常识）was translated from the English word common sense and integrated into the Chinese cultural space through Japan.This process,as a part of cultural exchange and civilization mutual learning,shows people’s high consciousness in group identity appeal and civilization base construction.In the west,common sense can trace back to Aristotle.The rise of empirical philosophy in the 17^thcentury Britain definitively influenced it became a word which represents practical wisdom,sound judgement and knowledge which common to all.The recall for ancient Roman common sense gives it the function of referring to common beliefs and emotion.After the modern transformation,common sense was constructed as the national characteristic of Britain,which was the main cause why modern Chinese and Japanese intellectuals noticed it.“Changshi”（常识）was conceptualized in 1894 Japan,which referred to people’s consensus on social interactions.Subsequently,ethicists interpreted it metaphysically as a common moral consciousness.The Meiji ideology not only influenced the academic interpretation of“Changshi”（常识）,but also shaped it for the masses.In1896,Fukuzawa Yukichi explained it as“ordinary academic theories and knowledge”,added an epistemological connotation to it.The philosophical circle has demonstrated the intrinsic relevance of“Changshi”（常识）to scholarship.A large number of books on science were published under the name of it,which reflected science were becoming ordinary knowledge in modern times.After introducing to China,“Changshi”（常识）was soon interpreted as the patriotic sense which was necessary for building a modern country.When patriotism became self-evident under the severe survival crisis in the late Qing Dynasty,people mainly discussed it within the scope of epistemology.To popularized advanced scientific knowledge and improve the level of public intelligence is the historical context of the establishment of the connotation of“common knowledge”for“Changshi”（常识）in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China.In addition to this mainstream interpretation,“Changshi”（常识）has also been interpreted as a sense of shame intuition that legal consciousness can grow,as well as a virtue magnanimity through daily communication and deeds.The investigation of the history of“Changshi”（常识）shows the various interpretations before it solidified,which is a valuable resource for reviewing the common sense of modern society.At the epistemological dimension,it encourages people to seeking knowledge and constantly update their understanding of the world they live in.At the ethical dimension,it requires us to return and not forget the conscience necessary for human being who living in community.