Common Sense?

Hey, wait a minute, what don’t you see? ‘This is basic Common sense!’ How many times have you heard such a statement?  At times it sounds offensive especially when you think you have acted smart and then one hints that you have missed the mark of common sense by your actions or lack of them. Some question that may easily come to mind is, who determines what sense is common and what is not?  By the way, common to who? Could this be the reason why this common sense is rare?  Have you done something and the world wondered how on earth you could do not see even what the blind can see and you were left wondering how you were expected to have thought or acted like everyone else?  The reason perhaps lies in the definition of common sense which assumes many things.  Common sense is defined as the basic ability to use good judgement in making decisions and to live in a reasonable safe way. Close to the definition is that ‘common sense is the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way.

That is where most, if not all the challenge arises from. Could this sense be informed by our cultures and values?  Would our history and experiences be of any importance in determining what is common sense?  Age might be at the center at this point.  Because for every birthday we celebrate, unknowingly we celebrate valued experiences which make us unique and cause us to embrace certain values and practices. Then in mind comes education and exposure, which is invaluable in shaping who we are.  Dreams and aspirations: people have dreams and aspirations and are willing to take risks that many other people may not only be willing to take not even think about.  These too come with their own costs and benefits. The benefits are celebrated but many times the repercussions leave many wondering, ‘how could he/she have not seen that?  This is basic common sense! So as we look at commonsense tidbits, –who and what defines what common sense is to you?   Is it worth investigating what constitutes common sense before we challenge others on acts not commensurate with common sense.  Well common sense tidbits, is food for thought challenging one to evaluate their actions and see how best to classify them.  Let’s continue with the journey.