The Power of Common Sense: Why Education Isn’t Enough

Imagine navigating through life without the ability to make practical decisions—this is where common sense comes into play. Whether it’s managing daily tasks or making crucial life choices, common sense is the unsung hero that guides us.

While formal education provides us with knowledge and skills, common sense cultivated from childhood and, through life experiences, is essential for making effective life decisions.

As Robert Green Ingersoll once said:

“It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.” 

Ingersoll’s quote underscores the idea that practical wisdom is invaluable. He isn’t downplaying the importance of education; rather, he highlights that common sense often serves as a benchmark for navigating life’s complexities.

While there are many educated individuals, those with common sense stand out. This is because they can apply their knowledge effectively in real-world situations.

We will explore further in this post why common sense is crucial in everyday life and why education alone isn’t enough.

Understanding Common Sense

Common sense refers to the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on practical knowledge and everyday experiences.

It is bordered around intuition. It is our good sense, Horse sense, Mother wit, Good sense, Practicality, Innate Cleverness, Prudence, Gumption, Level-headedness, and Native intelligence.

A basis of understanding that can be generally accepted. It’s like knowing that you should respond in a certain way without always being told.

It might differ from people to people, culture to culture, but then it is often generally accepted within that space where it is expected.

It involves understanding and responding to situations in a way that is logical and beneficial. The underlining keyword in this case is logical.

Common sense is not something we are born with; it is developed over time. From childhood, we learn through interactions with family, friends, and our environment.

These experiences shape our ability to discern what is practical and what is not. For some people, it may come naturally, but for most, they grow into it given their environment.

This is why children must be well looked after especially when their mindsets are still in their formation stages. The negative effects of people and the environment have a way of affecting their thinking patterns, and how they see life. The effect of a bad environment can stray them away from knowing what is and is not acceptable in life.

It is also important to understand that common sense can be confused and can most times be wrong.

But the major highlight is the fact that it is mostly generally accepted by people as it considers the most basic and simplest account of an event. It is like having the most basic understanding of life expectations of you by other people.

The Role of Intuition and Practical Knowledge

At its core, common sense is closely tied to intuition. It is the gut feeling that tells you to avoid a dangerous situation or the instinct to help someone in need. This intuitive understanding is often based on past experiences and the ability to recognize patterns in behavior and events.

Practical knowledge also plays a significant role in common sense. This type of knowledge is gained through everyday experiences and interactions. For example, knowing that touching a hot stove will burn your hand is a piece of practical knowledge that informs your common sense.

Examples of Common Sense in Everyday Situations

Our good sense manifests in various ways in our daily lives. A few examples include:

a. Safety Precautions: Understanding that you should look both ways before crossing the street or knowing that you should wear a helmet when riding a motorbike to protect your head in case of an accident.

b. Social Interactions: Knowing that interrupting someone while they are speaking is generally considered rude. Another example is understanding that saying “please” and “thank you” shows politeness and appreciation in conversations.

c. Problem-Solving: Realizing that if a tool is not working, you should check if it is plugged in before assuming it is broken.

d. Problem-Solving: Realizing that if your phone isn’t charging, you should check if the charger is properly connected before assuming the phone is broken.

e. Health and Hygiene: Recognizing that washing your hands before eating helps prevent the spread of germs and illnesses.

f. Financial Management: Understanding that you should save a portion of your income for emergencies rather than spending it all at once.

g. Time Management: Knowing that setting an alarm can help you wake up on time for important appointments or work.

h. Environmental Awareness: Realizing that properly disposing of waste helps protect the environment.

Most of the examples listed are things that somehow we are expected to know without any debate or conviction. It is like an intuitive reflex understanding and acceptance of events.

The Influence of Family, Friends, and Environment

The family and environment are one of the primary sources of common sense or good sense development.

1. Family Influence: Parents and caregivers impart practical knowledge and life skills through daily interactions and guidance. Simple activities, such as teaching a child to tie their shoes or cross the street safely, contribute to their growing repository of common sense.

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in teaching children basic life skills, such as the ability to perceive and judge soundly everyday life events. Common sense is simply practical life wisdom. It is a basic awareness and ability to judge issues in life in the most practical way without having an explanation as to why.

2. Social Interactions: Friends and peers also play a significant role. Social interactions teach children about acceptable behavior, empathy, and problem-solving. For example, resolving conflicts with friends helps children understand the importance of compromise and effective communication.

3. Environmental Factors: The broader environment, including cultural norms and societal expectations, further shapes common sense. What is considered common sense in one culture may differ in another, highlighting the importance of context in its development.

If a person grows up in an environment where unethical behavior is normalized, the person may struggle to develop a clear sense of basic right and wrong. This can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of practical wisdom in the right direction.

Good Sense can be impacted by the wrong environment in the following ways:

1. Distorted Perceptions: Negative environments can distort an individual’s perception of what is normal or acceptable, leading to skewed judgment and decision-making.

2. Reduced Critical Thinking: Constant exposure to negative influences can stifle a person’s ability to think critically and independently, as one may adopt the flawed logic and behaviors they observe.

3. Emotional and Psychological Effects: Stressful or harmful environments can impact an individual’s emotional and psychological well-being, making it harder for the individual to develop the resilience and practical wisdom needed for everyday life.

The Impact of Cultural Differences on Common Sense

Cultural differences can significantly influence what is regarded as common sense. In some cultures, it is common sense to remove shoes before entering a home, while in others, this practice might be unfamiliar. These variations underscore the adaptability of common sense to different social contexts.

Despite these differences, the core principle remains the same: common sense involves making practical and logical decisions based on everyday experiences and intuitive understanding.

Recognizing and respecting cultural differences can enhance our ability to navigate diverse social environments effectively.

The Role of Education in Developing Common Sense

While formal education provides theoretical knowledge, it also indirectly contributes to the development of common sense.

Schools teach students critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, which are essential components of common sense.

However, the practical application of these skills often occurs outside the classroom, through real-life experiences and interactions.

The Importance of a Positive Environment

A positive and supportive environment is crucial for the healthy development of common sense. Children who grow up in nurturing environments, where they feel safe to explore and learn from their mistakes, are more likely to develop strong common sense.

Conversely, negative influences, such as exposure to violence or neglect, can hinder this development and lead to distorted perceptions of what is practical and logical.

The Limitations of Education – Why it is Not Enough

While education is undeniably valuable for acquiring knowledge and developing specialized skills, it does not necessarily equip individuals with common sense. Education often focuses on theoretical understanding and academic achievement, which are important but do not always translate to practical wisdom.

Education provides a structured way to learn about various subjects, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.

However, it often lacks emphasis on real-world applications and everyday problem-solving.

This gap means that even highly educated individuals can struggle with practical decisions and common sense.

For instance, someone might excel academically, earning degrees and accolades, yet find themselves at a loss when faced with everyday challenges like resolving conflicts or making basic decisions when interacting with others.

Their education has prepared them for intellectual pursuits but not necessarily for the practicalities of daily life.

This disconnect highlights that common sense is cultivated through life experiences, interactions, and the environment in which one grows up.

It involves learning from mistakes, observing others, and adapting to various situations—abilities that are not always taught in formal educational settings.

In essence, while education can enhance one’s knowledge and open doors to professional opportunities, it does not automatically endow a person with the practical wisdom needed to navigate life’s complexities.

Common sense, developed through lived experiences, remains a crucial component for making sound decisions and handling real-world challenges effectively.

The Limitations of Traditional Education

While formal education provides a structured approach to learning, equipping individuals with theoretical knowledge and specialized skills, common sense offers practical wisdom that is essential for navigating everyday life. Understanding the interplay between these two forms of knowledge can help us appreciate their unique contributions and limitations.

Traditional education focuses on imparting academic knowledge through a standardized curriculum. While this approach is effective in teaching subjects like mathematics, science, and literature, it often falls short in preparing individuals for real-world challenges. Here are some limitations of formal education:

a. One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Standardized education does not account for individual differences in learning styles and needs. This can result in a lack of engagement and practical understanding for some students.

b. Lack of Practical Application: Many educational systems emphasize rote learning and theoretical knowledge, leaving little room for practical application. Students may excel in exams but struggle with everyday tasks that require common sense.

c. Limited Critical Thinking: Traditional education often focuses on memorization rather than encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This can hinder students’ ability to think independently and make sound decisions in real-life situations.

d. Insufficient Life Skills Training: Schools often do not teach essential life skills such as financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and basic home maintenance. These skills are crucial for navigating everyday life and are often learned through common sense and experience.

e. Overemphasis on Grades: The pressure to achieve high grades can lead to stress and burnout, and may not accurately reflect a student’s true abilities or potential. Common sense, on the other hand, is developed through practical experiences and learning from mistakes.

f. Lack of Adaptability: Traditional education systems can be slow to adapt to changing societal needs and technological advancements. Common sense allows individuals to quickly adjust to new situations and challenges.

Real-Life Scenarios Where Common Sense Trumps Formal Education

There are numerous situations where common sense proves to be more valuable than formal education. Here are a few examples:

a. Emergency Situations: In emergencies, quick thinking and practical decision-making are vital. Common sense can guide individuals to take appropriate actions, such as administering basic first aid or evacuating a building safely.

b. Interpersonal Relationships: Building and maintaining healthy relationships requires empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills. These are often developed through life experiences rather than formal education.

c. Problem-Solving: Everyday problems, such as fixing a leaky faucet or managing household finances, often require practical knowledge and common sense rather than academic expertise.

Bottom Line on the power of common sense

Common sense, cultivated through life experiences and interactions, provides the practical wisdom needed to navigate life’s complexities.

While education equips us with knowledge and skills, it is native intelligence that enables us to apply this knowledge effectively in real-world situations.

By recognizing the power of common sense, we can strive to develop it alongside our formal education, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded approach to life’s challenges.

Reflect on your own use of common sense and consider how it enhances your daily life. Embrace the practical wisdom that comes from everyday experiences, and let it guide you in making sound decisions and building meaningful relationships.