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I don’t know about ‘common sense opinion’ by the way. It…

“I don’t know about ‘common sense opinion’ by the way. It seems to me that the office of common sense is to keep us from playing cards for high stakes with people we meet on trains, and not to endorse metaphysical opinions.” quote by Peter van Inwagen
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“I don’t know about ‘common sense opinion’ by the way. It seems to me that the office of common sense is to keep us from playing cards for high stakes with people we meet on trains, and not to endorse metaphysical opinions.”

Peter van Inwagen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Common sense serves as a practical safeguard against risky social gambles, not as a basis for deep metaphysical claims.

In simple terms: Common sense protects us from dangerous social bets.

Key Takeaway

Trust practical judgment over speculative opinions.

Themes

practicality risk social interaction

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • business negotiations
  • first meetings
  • online dating
  • high‑stakes decisions

Key Concepts

epistemology common sense metaphysics

Questions to Reflect On

  • When did you rely on common sense in a risky situation?
  • Can common sense be misleading?
A Different Perspective

Common sense may be culturally biased and not universally reliable.

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