Alabama schools, beginning in 2027, are posting a sign with the Ten Commandments. While the posting’s legislative reasons include the Decalogue’s roots in American Political Thought and Philosophy, there is arguably another reason. The reason isn’t religious, rather, it is based upon the field of Cognitive Science.
In academia, Common Knowledge is a technical term. Ordinary “common knowledge,” per the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is defined as “something that many or most people know.” Common Knowledge, academically, means something far more than a mere piece of knowledge- a fact, a scientific truth- known by many. Essentially, Common Knowledge is knowledge that you know that other people know and that the other people know that you know. It is a phenomenon that Dr. Steven Pinker addressed in his book: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows . . .: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (2025)
In essence, the Alabama Ten Commandments classroom postings create Common Knowledge. Not that the many students will have common knowledge about the Ten Commandments but rather Common Knowledge will be created; students will know that other people know that they know of the Ten Commandments.
The value of it is important for establishing a Community Code of Conduct. For example, an Alabama student stealing in front of others will know that the people watching him will have the opinion “he knows better.” In such a setting, those who engage in Decalogue-based moral failure can not only no longer feign ignorance, they appreciate that their peers will will think lesser of them; the reason being that hey all know that the individual knows better.
This phenomenon that is created by the posting is surprisingly analogous to what occurred at Mt. Sinai when the Ten Commandments were delivered. Those present were both the Israelite Tribes- the Children of Israel- and a mixed multitude of individuals who left with them from Egypt. See Exodus 12:38. These would be the people who would not only establish a fledgling nation but they would create a community possessing Common Knowledge.
The Community Code of Moral Conduct as Common Knowledge
At Mt. Sinai, a Community Moral Code of Conduct was established in part due the phenomenon of Common Knowledge. In Deuteronomy, Moses describes what occurred at Mt. Sinai: “The Lord, our God had made a covenant with us at Horeb (Mt. Sinai). The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us! We! These! Here! Today! All of us! Living! Face-to-face, the Lord spoke with you at the mountain from inside the fire.” Deuteronomy 5:2-5.
In essence, everyone present on that day not only knew the Ten Commandments but they saw that everyone else knew the Ten Commandments. And those people, knew that everyone else knew the Ten Commandments.
Thus, with these situations, a Community Code of Conduct was established. Moral clarity was established. Everyone worked off the moral belief that matters such as murder, theft and honoring one’s parents were not only values but societal values; thus, a Community Code of Conduct.
In establishing morals as Common Knowledge, there is a great sense of satisfaction. The people you will encounter in the society know better when it comes to their actions. It is much more satisfying that the alternative which is Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat; ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat
When there is no Common Knowledge, the fallback position with respect to laws and morals is the doctrine: ignorance of the law is no excuse. Ignorance of the law or morals has a problematic implication. The implication is that the particular society is either failing to educate their populace or that their populace is incapable of understanding or knowing the rules.
Education is a means of lessening the need for such a doctrine is commendable solution to this problem. A good society wants their populace to know its morals and avalues. Thus, a society striking out to educate morals and values is trying to create a knowledgeable populace; a populace that has Common Knowledge.
Conclusion
To some degree, the rationale for the school posting of the Ten Commandments is an effort to get everyone figuratively on the same page. The classroom sign educates children on societal expectations. Likewise, the population knows that the students should know about the commandments in that they are posted in the classroom. And, the students know that others know that they know. With this, the Community Code of Conduct is established. The methodology is n tune with what transpired at Mt. Sinai. There, a collective group of disparate people together agreed to a moral code.
Be well!!
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