Common sense is the basic level of practical knowledge, judgment, and reasoning that is widely shared among people and used to make sound decisions in everyday life. It involves an intuitive understanding of what is reasonable and safe without requiring specialized knowledge or formal reflection. Essentially, common sense is the natural ability to think and behave in a sensible way that helps people navigate ordinary situations effectively
. Historically, common sense has roots in philosophical concepts dating back to Aristotle, who described it as a faculty that integrates sensory perceptions and enables discrimination of objects. Over time, the term evolved to mean the shared, self-evident knowledge or conventional wisdom that most adults are expected to have. While it is often viewed positively as practical judgment, it has also been critiqued as conventional wisdom or prejudice in some contexts
. In summary, common sense is:
- Practical, everyday judgment and knowledge
- Shared broadly across people without needing deep explanation
- A natural, intuitive ability to make reasonable decisions
- Considered a basic form of intelligence or sound judgment
This understanding of common sense helps individuals live safely and reasonably in daily life