The Common is the Collective: The Analytics of Common Sense and its Normative Consequences for Imagination
Journal
Angelaki
ISSN
1469-2899
Type
journal-article
Date Issued
2026-02-16
Author(s)
Abstract
In this paper, I follow Avshalom Schwartz’s (2024) recent suggestion to treat Aristotle’s imagination as “the psychological microfoundations of collective action and thus helps explain how we can move from individual psychology to collective agency and action.” As I argue, though, imagination can unravel such a political function thanks to the fact that it is an affection (πάθος) of what Aristotle introduces and calls “common sense” (κοινὴ αἴσθησις).
In support of this argument, I start by, presenting Schwartz’s reasoning as to why imagination can qualify as the psychological foundation of collective actions. Building upon that, I return to Aristotle’s concept of common sense to sketch its functions. In addition, I qualify common sense as a σύνολον, a condition of individuation, and, leaning on Catherine Malabou and Jacques Derrida, an analysis of common sense as a collective event. In doing so, common sense is disclosed as a collective, both logical-analytical and normative, process that acknowledges, fosters, and accommodates difference. It is thanks to such an understanding of common sense that imagination can act as a regulative and inclusive fundament that can furnish the community with a common, yet inclusive and non-hierarchical or excluding common goal. In conclusion, I hint at further intertwinements of Aristotle’s conceptualization of common sense with concepts like memory and utopia.
In support of this argument, I start by, presenting Schwartz’s reasoning as to why imagination can qualify as the psychological foundation of collective actions. Building upon that, I return to Aristotle’s concept of common sense to sketch its functions. In addition, I qualify common sense as a σύνολον, a condition of individuation, and, leaning on Catherine Malabou and Jacques Derrida, an analysis of common sense as a collective event. In doing so, common sense is disclosed as a collective, both logical-analytical and normative, process that acknowledges, fosters, and accommodates difference. It is thanks to such an understanding of common sense that imagination can act as a regulative and inclusive fundament that can furnish the community with a common, yet inclusive and non-hierarchical or excluding common goal. In conclusion, I hint at further intertwinements of Aristotle’s conceptualization of common sense with concepts like memory and utopia.
Language
English (United States)
Keywords
Aristotle
Common Sense
Imagination
Democratic Theory
Collective Practices
Utopia
Memory
Collective Event
Political Philosophy
Social Philosophy
Social and Political Philosophy
Political Theory
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Volume
31
Number
1
Start page
36
End page
55
Division(s)
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Name
Telios_The Common is the Collective_ANGELAKI_31_1_36_55.pdf
Size
565.42 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
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