Descartes said that common sense is the best divided quality in the world; there is no one who does not have this wise gift.
The famous mathematician and philosopher understood that this dimension, in addition to the characteristics of each one, makes it clear what is right, acceptable and what approaches irrationality.
- However.
- As Voltaire pointed out in his day.
- Common sense is actually the least common sense.
- What does that mean? Fundamentally.
- This unanimity is not always given or perceived when it comes to understanding what makes sense or what is expected in each situation.
One way or another, each person integrates into his or her own common sense, which sometimes does not correspond to others.
On the other hand, the most curious thing of all is that it would be better for all if we could apply this simplicity in terms of values and principles of action, from a neat and almost universal essence.
However, sometimes, although we know what would be most acceptable in each situation, we do not apply it; either negligently, defiantly or because our mind is occupied in other complex universes.
Common sense tells us, for example, that we must lead a healthier life; However, we do not always put our health before immediate satisfaction.
Common sense generally whispers to us that this role should be abandoned, that we should recycle more, that we should not read messages on the phone while driving, or that we should share quality time with the people we love. aware of that, why aren’t we doing what needs to be done?
“Common sense is nothing more than a set of prejudices deposited in our minds before the age of 18. “-Albert Einstein-
Psychology says that common sense is the ability to discern that everyone has (or should have), with this ability it is possible to make coherent decisions based on logic and reason.
However, Albert Einstein himself once pointed out that much of this, which we call common sense, is nothing more than a set of prejudices that others convey to us.
In any case, this concept always seeks an end: the common good, with this skill we try to ensure that we all have a practical sense that facilitates coexistence, avoids hostile conflicts and acts for the well-being of all.
But where does common sense come from?In most cases, it doesn’t just come from what others teach or dictate, as Einstein would say. In fact, it also comes from our own experience; of what we have seen, felt and experienced.
Therefore, it is clear that everyone has followed their own path and lived events that are not always similar to those of others, so your common sense, which makes sense to you, may not be for me.
Throughout our history, the concept of common sense has been thought of from many different angles. Understanding each of them will undoubtedly help us gain perspective.
Adrian Furnham, Professor of Psychology at University College London, has written a very interesting book called Everything in the Mind: The Essence of Psychology (1996).
Furnham’s premises are striking and warn us of the following: nothing should be taken for granted: sometimes what is considered common sense is a real absurdity.
What he tries to convey in his work is the need to always take a critical and realistic view of reality, if we have to make decisions it is better to analyze the context, the particularities of the case and what suits us or seems more to us. Right.
Let ourselves be carried away by what is considered common sense?You can make mistakes for us.
Furnham recalls, for example, facts that until recently were considered universal truths, such as the fact that women were not smart enough to vote or that institutional detention was best for people with disabilities.
Therefore, common sense is not always well calibrated, may be outdated or not meet our personal needs.
We need to use it with some critical judgment and understand that the common sense of others can offer different conclusions than our own, simply by addressing or evaluating the situation from a different perspective.