COMMON SENSE

By Dr. Jim David

Remember “Common Sense,” by Thomas Paine? It addressed the evils of monarchy or rule by one person; it accused the British government of inflicting economic and social injustices on us, the American people. Designed to ignite public opinion against autocratic rule with a printing of 500,000 copies, equal to 75 million today; it heartened General Washington’s despondent Army.

In everyday usage, common sense posits that fundamental truths about reality and morality can be accessed through our shared understanding. It is defined as the basic level of sound judgment or knowledge that most adults possess. Somewhat similar to the concept of intrinsic conscience, wherein feelings of discomfort arise when witnessing unfairness. This sense of right and wrong is not solely based on external rules or societal norms. Basic examples from HelpfulProfessor.com are, “Do not touch a hot stove,” and “Look both ways before crossing a street.”

HOW COMMON?

Voltaire (1694-1778), the famous French philosopher and satirist said, “Common Sense is not so common!” A contemporary humorist says it is a rare form of intelligence that occurs in less than 10% of the population. Benjamin Franklin succinctly stated that Common Sense is something that everyone needs, few have, and none think they lack!

COMMON SENSE PRACTICE

Let us look at a few current examples. Is it commonsensical for the government to allow unregulated possession of assault rifles? What do other countries do to reduce mass murders? Do they have stringent requirements that must be met before being granted a license? What impedes our government from adopting common sense gun safety regulations?

What about Global Climate Change (GCC)? The burning of fossil fuels feeds the greenhouse effect along with methane release. Daily we read new research articles supporting the validity and reality of global warming. Vineyards are being relocated northward in Europe and South Africa. Common sense tells us to be proactive in reducing the harmful effects of GCC rather than reactive in repairing the expensive damage.

The loudest, most compelling example of no common sense is our $36.2 trillion national indebtedness. Would you support your daughter in marrying a person who consistently lived beyond his/her means?! We no longer have the top credit rating. Congress just passed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” adding another four or so trillion dollars to our national indebtedness. Our credibility as a nation is faltering.

I misspoke in the preceding paragraph. The most blatant absence of Common Sense must be global wealth inequality. On page A13 of the Washington Post, June 27, 2025; Kelsey Ables wrote, “Over the past decade, the world’s richest 1% have increased their wealth by at least $33.9 trillion, according to a new analysis from the global anti-poverty group Oxfam International.” Lest we forget, a trillion is one thousand billion dollars. Wealth concentration equals political power. In a fair society, in a democratic country, billionaires should be outlawed (Sen. Bernie Sanders). Extreme wealth inequality does not make any sense, much less common sense.

CAUSES OF COMMON SENSE FAILING

There are many possible explanations for Common Sense failing. Perhaps foremost is fear. Fear of losing money, status, power, respect. To argue in favor of Common Sense for our irrational national indebtedness, wealth inequality, gun safety, clean and temperate air, et cetera does require fearlessness.

It is said that perfect love eliminates all fear. Perfect love is connecting with one’s intrinsic goodness and okayness just in being; no need to be “doing” to attain Perfect Love. See Richard Rohr’s “The Immortal Self” and Rupert Spira’s “You are the Happiness You Seek: Uncovering the Awareness of Being.” 

What is the vehicle for connecting with the Perfect Love already present within each one of us? Sages throughout the ages have been virtually unanimous in suggesting silence. Since repetition is the mother of learning here are several thought-provoking quotes. “In silence we can find our inner truth.” “Silence is the language of God.” “SiIence is the mother of truth.”

Rumi says, “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” Francis Bacon states, “Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” Ma Jaya Sati, “Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” Carl Gustav Jung, “Those who look outside, dream; those who look inside awaken.”

In our smartphone, soon to be AI World, we are saturated with sound, activity, lies, distortion, and escapism reign!

So, upon reflection, we might agree that most adults possess, intrinsically, a basic level of sound judgment or knowledge that we define as common sense. Yet, we could also argue that the unevenness of unbiased information available across our country could contribute to ideology having precedence over facts.

GOD? FAITH?

G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) allegedly said, “When a man stops believing in God he doesn’t believe in nothing, he believes in anything.” He also said, “The first effect of not believing in God is that you lose your Common Sense.” God or religion or spirituality or philosophy do provide us with common parameters for virtuous living. We know that religion has been distorted to justify wars, torture, murder, nationalism, et cetera. Rather than blaming others, like elected leaders, maybe we each need more quiet time to connect with our intrinsic Common Sense, and then to act on it.

Dr. Jim David is a retired psychotherapist in Silver Spring, MD, who adheres to positivity in all areas of life. Currently he does Personal, Spiritual and Executive Coaching. Visit his website at www.askdrdavidnow.com or email at [email protected].