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Do You Have Common Sense?


Common sense is a type of intelligence, not given to the classroom or books.  Common sense is not taught like a subject. It is a generalized set of rules mostly self-learned. It has a feature set that is broad and sweeping. We classify a few of them as abilities – just as our regular senses of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.  It is also related to good sense and practical sense, less general terms.

  • Ability to generalize. Example. You’ve learned not to put your hand on the stove. You generalize to other sources of heat.
  • Ability to assess capabilities. You gradually restrict your activities and goals to those achievable.
  • Ability to survive. You sidestep dangers that present directly and indirectly.
  • Ability to discern. You can distinguish between options based on what is overall best for you and perhaps family. You easily chose not to do dumb things.
  • Ability to avoid unnecessary risks. This is not to say risks are not undertaken, but senseless or stupid risks are avoided.
  • Ability to distinguish reality from fantasy. This is more difficult than it may seem, as the fantasy is often the most desired.
  • Ability to harness free will for one’s overall most opportune actions. (Assuming here you accept free will.)

All of these together seems to illustrate a somewhat boring existence with little excitement. Yes, too much common sense makes Jack a dull boy. Perhaps we take unusual risks, defying common sense, because of other senses, challenges, and pure desires.

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