I hear this phrase not infrequently (nice double negative, don't you think?): "He/She/They have no common sense." I can be heard to utter (or mutter), "a total lack of common sense".
Just what is "common sense"?
As I examined the term in my head, I realized that those two particular words put together stand for something far different than the two words viewed separately, which is not uncommon in our English language. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary gives the following definition for common sense: Sound and prudent judgement based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. Even though I set my alpha and omega by Merriam-Webster, I have serious reservations about this definition. Just the inclusion of the words judgement and perception throw doubt about the veracity of the definition into the realm of opinion and everyone's opinion will be different regarding just what common sense is or should be.
Furthermore, if you examine the collective phrase as two separate words, you are left with an impression that leaves you wondering how the two words ever became connected in the first place. Common: different definitions, among which are the meanings ordinary and to belong collectively. The closest association I can get to common sense is the meaning of "to belong collectively". So does that mean that the term common sense has something to do with a collective sense of what is prudent? I do not see that happening anytime soon. The word sense has several meanings, among which are the concepts of realizing that a situation is not as it should be - i.e. sense danger or the five senses of the body: sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. But that does not make any sense, either. In this case, the term common sense would mean a collective (common) sense of sight, sound, touch, smell or taste.
Very confusing - at least to this blogger. What about a sense of decency? When we say the term "common sense", are we really referring to a common sense of something - such as decency or fairness or camaraderie or teamwork or rapport? Perhaps if our nation - or humans in general - had more of a common sense of decency, fairness, camaraderie, teamwork, or rapport there would be more common sense about how we treated one another or reacted in certain situations.
Confused? Join the club.
Ancora imparo
