Final answer:
Our common sense belief in other minds is guided by both the utility of this belief for practical survival and fundamental assumptions rooted in our direct sense perception and intuitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether our common sense leads us to believe in the existence of other minds because it is useful or because we have good reasons to believe so touches upon fascinating philosophical concepts. Our brains are indeed primed for survival, which influences how we think and perceive the world, often favoring practicality over seeking abstract truths. This pragmatic approach is evident in our day-to-day thinking, including the belief in other minds, which is reinforced by our language and daily interactions.
Philosophical discourse holds that our common sense is based on direct sense perception, which we regard as fundamentally true. This view rejects skepticism towards these basic perceptions. Therefore, we may inherently believe in other minds because we perceive external behaviors and communications that mirror our own experiential knowledge.
Moreover, intuitions in philosophy, while challenging, can also serve as a basis for our beliefs. Although intuitions are not foolproof and can sometimes be mere feelings or perspectives, they often provide us with a prima facie reason to accept certain propositions without immediate evidence. This could include the intuitive assumption that other people have minds similar to our own. In conclusion, it seems that our belief in other minds stems both from practical utilities and a common-sense perception that aligns with our intuitions about the world and its inhabitants.