Common knowledge

For the logical concept, see Common knowledge (logic).

Common knowledge is knowledge that is known by everyone or nearly everyone, usually with reference to the community in which the term is used. Common knowledge need not concern one specific subject, e.g., science or history. Rather, common knowledge can be about a broad range of subjects, including science, literature, history, entertainment etc. Often, common knowledge doesn't need to be cited. Common knowledge is distinct from general knowledge. The latter has been defined by differential psychologists as referring to 'culturally valued knowledge communicated by a range of non-specialist media', and is considered an aspect of ability related to intelligence ^[1] Therefore there are substantial individual differences in general knowledge as opposed to common knowledge.

The assertion that something is "common knowledge" is sometimes associated with the fallacy argumentum ad populum (Latin: "appeal to the people"). The fallacy essentially warns against assuming that just because everyone believes something is true, it is. Misinformation is easily introduced into rumours by intermediate messengers.

Many techniques have had to have been developed in response to the question of distinguishing truth from fact in matters that have become "common knowledge". The scientific method is usually applied in cases involving phenomena associated with astronomy, mathematics, physics, and the general laws of nature. In legal settings, rules of evidence generally exclude hearsay (which may draw on "facts" someone believes to be "common knowledge").

"Conventional wisdom" is a similar term, coined by economist John Kenneth Galbraith, referring to ostensibly pervasive knowledge or analysis.

See also

• Common knowledge (logic)
• Common sense
• Consensus reality
• Conventional wisdom
• Cyc, an attempt to capture common sense in a computer system
• Obliteration by incorporation
• Rule of thumb
• Social constructionism

Further reading

• R. Fagin, J. Y. Halpern, Y. Moses, and M. Y. Vardi. Reasoning about Knowledge, The MIT Press, 1995. ISBN 0-262-56200-6
• Lewis, David. Convention: A philosophical study. Harvard University Press, 1969.
• J-J Ch. Meyer and W van der Hoek Epistemic Logic for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, volume 41, Cambridge Tracts in Theoretical Computer Science, Cambridge University Press, 1995. ISBN 052146014X
• Stalnaker, Robert. "Assertion". Pages 315–322 in P. Cole (ed.). Syntax and Semantics 9: Pragmatics, 1978.

References

1. ^ Lynn, Richard; Irwing, P. & Cammock, T. (2001). "Sex differences in general knowledge". Intelligence 30: 27–39. doi:10.1016/S0160-2896(01)00064-2. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289601000642. 

This article about epistemology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Knowledge Epistemology stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую Constructive set theory One Hunid Look at other dictionaries: Common Knowledge EP — EP by The Pride Released 1997 Genre hip hop Label …   Wikipedia Common Knowledge — was an attempt to share information for the good of all, the brainchild of Brower Murphy, formerly of The Library Corporation. Brower and Common Knowledge are recognised in the Library Microcomputer Hall of Fame. [… …   Wikipedia common knowledge — noun uncount something that everyone knows: It s common knowledge that smoking and cancer are linked …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English common knowledge — I noun accepted fact, ac knowledgment, announcement, annunciation, avowance, declaration, disclosure, dissemination, experience, expose, familiarity, general information, history, learning, manifestation, notoriety, patefactio, public disclosure …   Law dictionary common knowledge — noun anything generally known to everyone • Hypernyms: ↑public knowledge, ↑general knowledge • Hyponyms: ↑ancient history * * * common knowledge UK US noun [uncountable] something that everyone knows …   Useful english dictionary common knowledge —    When information is well known to everyone (particularly in a community or group), it is called common knowledge.     You didn t know the intern was Jack s son? It thought it was common knowledge …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions common knowledge — UK / US noun [uncountable] something that everyone knows It s common knowledge that smoking and cancer are linked …   English dictionary common knowledge — /kɒmən ˈnɒlɪdʒ/ (say komuhn nolij) noun information which is known by most people: *It was common knowledge that Lewer s desire to be Chairman was all consuming –murray farquhar, 1986 …   common knowledge — A matter is of common knowledge where it is so generally, even if not universally, accepted by the public without qualification or contention, that the courts will accept it without proof. 29 Am J2d Ev § 22 …   Ballentine's law dictionary Common knowledge (disambiguation) — * Common knowledge what everybody knows * Common knowledge (logic) a mathematical concept used primarily in game theory and epistemic logic. * Common Knowledge an information publishing system …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”