Why do we call it common sense?

[d9f1c7]

When it is demonstrably rare?

[jake-the-peg]

"Common sense" is the term indicating the mistaken belief that everybody has the same values and reasoning - specifically those of the speaker.

It's a term as arrogant and mindless as "right thinking people"

[Old_Geezer]

That's a bit harsh. Common sense often refers to situations where the right thing is obvious to anyone able to achieve a basic degree of thought. We call it common because we find it difficult to believe it could be otherwise.

[Old_Geezer]

As any right thinking person can confirm.

[mibn2cweus]

It is neither common . . . nor is it a sense.

[cupid04]

All my senses are intact. And I'm definitely not common. They live the other side of town!

[pdust]

i have a pic on my fb that says 'common sense....so rare it should be a super power' or something similar lol

[erin-x]

I find it's usually the "smartest" people that lack it the most. My uncle is a physics lecturer and has no commt sense whatsoever!

[jomifl]

I detect a touch of unintended irony in the phrase.

[erin-x]

Common*

Damn fat fingers!

[barcelonic29]

Great question!

When i was growing up I genuinely believed that common sense was a real thing and that I didn't have any of it. Even today i wouldn't be surprised if this hypothesis were proven true lol

It once took me a week to notice my parents had bought and decorated a Christmas Tree in the living room. Another time I didn't notice a new ceiling installation (lights) for 6 months! :)

But for all the simple things i miss i pick up stuff on occasion that few people would. Things which to me seem sensical, seem to others to be innovative, and things which appear innovative to me are the same kinds of things which impress children but adults take for granted on a daily basis.

Perhaps common sense is the common nature of people to take certain things for granted.

[shooty]

because commoners have it. I've got it : )

[trt]

Brilliant Q!

Politicians dont know the meaning!

[FredPuli43]

Because it's the wisdom which is believed to be shared by all, common to the people. It's what juries use, in theory. It's based on a common experience of the world and of people.

[flip_flop]

I don't think there is any arrogance in the phrase at all.

It is common sense when walking down along a path not to suddenly stop for no apparent reason because there may be people walking behind - and yet people do do this thus demonstrating a lack of common sense.

[pdust]

lol barcelonic... i once came home from work, sat at the kitchen table with a cuppa and wondered why my husband was stood looking at me funny and saying 'well?' i looked all around then at myself, then the kids etc..... i had no idea what he was on about... then he pointed to the lovely kitchen units he had fitted while i was working.... ooops

[Davethedog]

How is there arrogance?

Commom sense is a decision that is obvious. i.e there is a naked flame not to put your hand over it is "common sense" To put your hand over it is stupidity.

Common sense is very often the opposite of stupid.

But Jake if you wish to percieve that as arrogant and only my values feel free to put your hand in the flame.

[weecalf]

Do royals have common sense then

[FredPuli43]

Alfonso the Wise, King of Castile, surely had common sense. Not so sure about our lot !

[keyplus90]

It is called common sense because it is known to each and every common person and you do not need special knowledge or degree for that. But sometime we do not think about it. Because certain matters in our lives become more difficult if you try applying too much thought to them. I will give you an example.

I once (about 13 years ago) suffered from a little bit of depression and anxiety. I went to see doctor and was told that I was given choice between going through it or taking medicine, decided not to take medicine otherwise I would be dependant and stuck with it. Spoke to a common person (a good friend) with a very basic education and he said that depression comes usually when you are worried about things and matters in your life. That made sense as doctor said that too. But he also said that get on with it and sort out the problems and worries will disappear. That made sense too and even doctor said that. I told him that there were few things you couldn’t do anything about and couldn’t sort them. Now there was the difference as he said that why would I be worried about things that were not in my hands and I wouldn't be able to do anything about. So just forget about them.

Very simple words and problem solved. Now even I could have thought about that but I did not. That is known as common sense. That it is known to all of us but all of us can’t think about it. Since then I get on with the things that give me worry (as worry itself is driving force in our lives) and never worry about anything that is not in my control and depression has since disappeared.

[jno]

that was good advice, keyplus, but I think it's fair to say that sometimes common sense may be wrong. Some people do need medical treatment for depression, as a doctor's investigation may disclose problems, with any illness, that are not readily apparent. I'm glad it worked in your case, though.