ABSTRACT
In this concluding chapter, the ultimate question of whether or not common sense can rise, or should be considered, as the prevailing paradigm of thought is answered. Initially, a brief review of the earlier chapters is presented as a matter of summary but also as a means of providing a context for the notion of common sense as a paradigm of thought. Common sense is deemed worthy of the distinction of a “paradigm” of thought along with tradition, faith, and enlightened, rational thought. It is proposed that while common sense does belong in the category of a paradigm of thought, and it is an excellent way to provide an analysis of social interaction, it does have its limitations; and, it is these limitations that give cause as to why common sense will not rise as the prevailing paradigm of thought. It is proposed that the enlightened, rational thought paradigm should serve as the guiding light of governing behavior; and this is true both at the micro (individual decision-making) and macro (societal) levels.
