Is Common Sense Even Real? A Deep Dive Into a Misunderstood Concept

“Common sense is not that common.”

You’ve probably heard this famous quote by the French philosopher Voltaire, and like many, you may have nodded in agreement.

The statement reflects a shared frustration when people don’t seem to act in ways that we assume are obvious or reasonable.

But this brings us to a bigger question: Is common sense even real? If something so foundational is not common, why do we continue to use the term?

Let’s dive deeper into the concept of common sense, explore its real meaning, and question if it’s something we all possess.

Table of Contents

What is Common Sense? Does It Really Exist?

The idea of common sense is often described as the basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things in a way that is shared by most people.

However, this presupposes that there’s a universal way of thinking that applies to everyone.

If that were true, we wouldn’t see such diverse opinions and actions across cultures, societies, and individuals.

Many psychologists argue that what we often call “common sense” is actually a set of assumptions based on personal experiences, upbringing, and cultural influences.

So, while common sense might feel instinctive to one person, it may not even register for someone else.

We Wrongly Believe Everyone Reaches the Same Conclusion

A fundamental misunderstanding about common sense is the assumption that everyone arrives at the same conclusions in a given situation.

However, psychologist Jennifer Gerlach points out that what we call “common sense” is not always reasoning but rather a belief that everyone else thinks the same way we do.

For instance, if you were raised to value punctuality, it might seem like common sense to be on time for meetings.

But in another culture, where time is viewed more flexibly, this behavior may not be as important.

Your “common sense” is shaped by the norms and expectations that have been ingrained in you, not by a universal logic that applies to everyone.

Factors That Shape Our Definition of ‘Common Sense’

Our personal definition of common sense is heavily influenced by factors such as culture, social norms, education, and personal experiences.

What makes sense to one group of people might not make sense to another.

For example, social scientist Duncan J.

Watts argues that common sense is often misunderstood because we expect it to apply to complex situations, like economics or politics when it’s more suited to simple, everyday scenarios.

In Watts’ view, common sense is the intelligence we rely on for routine decisions—like knowing how to dress appropriately for different occasions.

But when we try to use common sense to explain broader, more intricate issues, it often fails.

This is why it’s a mistake to lean on common sense for matters involving history, economics, or other complex social dynamics.

Navigating Everyday Situations with Common Sense

Common sense serves an important purpose in our daily lives.

It allows us to make quick decisions without overthinking every small action.

For example, we instinctively know not to wear beach attire to a formal event or to use a fork and knife at a fancy dinner.

These everyday guidelines stem from cultural norms and illustrate how common sense helps us navigate concrete situations with minimal thought.

However, while common sense is useful for simple tasks, it can be insufficient in more nuanced or subjective social situations.

What may be considered acceptable in one social group or culture might not be the same in another, which can lead to misunderstandings or a breakdown in communication.

The Danger of Relying on Common Sense in Complex Situations

The real danger, as Watts points out, comes when we try to use common sense in situations where it doesn’t apply.

Take, for example, the social sciences—areas like economics, politics, or history, where complex systems are at play.

Using common sense to explain such topics oversimplifies issues and leads to misunderstanding or misjudgment.

A prominent example is the COVID-19 pandemic.

British philosopher Peter West noted that when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged citizens to “use common sense” to avoid getting COVID-19, it created confusion.

What constituted common sense varied widely between individuals, leading to inconsistent behavior at a time when precise, informed actions were crucial.

Common Sense and Neurodivergence: A Different Perspective

Another challenge with the concept of common sense is that it doesn’t account for people who think differently.

Psychologist Jennifer Gerlach points out that neurodivergent individuals—people with conditions such as autism or ADHD—may not follow societal norms that are typically regarded as “common sense.”

For example, while it might seem like common sense for most people to make eye contact during conversations, some neurodivergent individuals may find it easier to focus while not making eye contact or by moving around.

For these individuals, what makes sense is different, but that doesn’t mean they lack reasoning or intelligence.

It’s simply a different way of navigating the world.

This highlights how subjective common sense can be and why we should be cautious when assuming it’s universal.

When ‘Common Sense’ Becomes Dangerous

Using the term “common sense” as a blanket statement can also have dangerous implications.

West argues that by expecting people to apply common sense in complex situations, we risk oversimplifying decisions that require deeper understanding.

This is particularly evident in politics, where policies are often justified with “common sense” reasoning, despite being anything but simple.

A key takeaway from the COVID-19 example is that everyone’s situation is different.

Some people had elderly parents they couldn’t visit, while others feared an untested vaccine.

What made sense in these situations varied from person to person, but the term “common sense” was thrown around as though everyone should have known what to do.

Also Read: Reinventing Yourself: Becoming your Best Version (2025)

Can We Really Call It Common Sense?

Given how varied our experiences, cultures, and personal beliefs are, can we really call anything “common sense”?

Many philosophers argue that the term is outdated, misleading, and not reflective of real-world complexity.

Most philosophical schools of thought oppose the idea of common sense, seeing it as an oversimplified way of understanding human reasoning.

The Origins of Common Sense: Where Did the Term Come From?

Before diving deeper into the modern use of “common sense,” it’s helpful to look at the origin of the term.

Originally, it referred to the ability to perceive basic truths shared by most people, a form of reasoning that was once thought to be universal.

Ancient philosophers, such as Aristotle, believed that common sense was a shared faculty that allowed individuals to interpret the world through a combination of sensory inputs.

Over time, this idea has evolved, and its meaning has become far more complex and subjective.

How Common Sense Differs Across Cultures

Common sense is highly influenced by the culture in which a person is raised.

What might be considered “common sense” in one country or community could seem odd or impractical in another.

For instance, in some cultures, it’s considered common sense to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, while in others, this would seem unnecessary.

This variation highlights how even basic social customs and behaviors that seem universal are often shaped by cultural context rather than an inherent understanding.

Common Sense vs. Emotional Intelligence

While common sense helps us navigate everyday situations, emotional intelligence (EQ) plays a significant role in how we handle social interactions and relationships.

Emotional intelligence involves the ability to understand and manage your own emotions while recognizing and influencing the emotions of others.

In many cases, having high EQ is more useful in complex social situations than relying on common sense, especially when the situation requires empathy, patience, or negotiation skills.

The Role of Intuition in Common Sense

Sometimes, what we label as common sense is actually intuition—a gut feeling that guides our decision-making.

Intuition can be seen as the brain’s ability to draw on past experiences and subconscious knowledge to make quick judgments.

However, intuition is also subjective, often leading to errors in judgment when people are unaware of the biases influencing their decisions.

This raises the question: is common sense just an extension of intuition, or are the two fundamentally different?

Common Sense and Critical Thinking: What’s the Difference?

A critical difference between common sense and critical thinking lies in the depth of reasoning.

While common sense tends to be based on immediate, surface-level observations, critical thinking requires deeper analysis, questioning assumptions, and considering multiple perspectives.

Critical thinking allows for more nuanced problem-solving, especially in complex situations, whereas common sense might lead to oversimplified conclusions that miss key details.

Can Common Sense Be Taught or Developed?

If common sense varies so widely, can it be taught, or is it something you either have or don’t? Some argue that common sense is learned through life experiences, while others believe it’s more of an inherent trait.

However, we can teach practical decision-making skills and critical thinking to help people better navigate everyday situations.

Schools and workplaces can foster environments where individuals learn to analyze situations critically, promoting a more thoughtful approach to “common sense.”

Why We Need to Redefine Common Sense

Given the complexities of modern life and the diversity of thought, perhaps it’s time to reconsider what we mean by common sense.

The term might be outdated, as it assumes a shared understanding that often doesn’t exist.

Instead, focusing on contextual reasoning—understanding that different situations require different approaches—could lead to more thoughtful and inclusive decision-making.

The Future of Common Sense in a Digital World

In today’s hyperconnected digital age, where we are constantly bombarded with information, common sense is being challenged in new ways.

Social media, in particular, has given rise to echo chambers, where people’s beliefs and ideas are reinforced without critical scrutiny.

This phenomenon has shifted the landscape of common sense, making it harder to distinguish between sound reasoning and misinformation.

As the digital world continues to evolve, will common sense adapt, or will it become even more elusive?

Conclusion

So, is common sense even real?

The answer is both yes and no.

Common sense exists as a tool we use to navigate routine, everyday tasks, but it’s far from universal.

What seems obvious to one person might be baffling to another, depending on their upbringing, cultural context, and personal experiences.

In more complex or nuanced situations, common sense often breaks down and can even become dangerous if relied on too heavily.

In the end, what we often refer to as common sense is better understood as critical thinking or contextual reasoning—skills that require us to be open-minded and adaptable to the complexities of the world.

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