The Decline of Common Sense

The Decline of Common Sense, First Edition. By David RollasonCommon sense is often described as the ability to make practical and reasonable decisions based on everyday experience. It is not specialist knowledge. It is not academic theory. It is the form of judgement that helps people understand situations clearly, recognise what needs to be done, and act accordingly. For much of history, common sense has been regarded as something natural, something most people develop through life.
Yet in recent years, there has been growing concern that common sense is weakening. Everyday decisions that used to feel straightforward now seem complicated. Discussions that once relied on shared understanding now become tense or confused. Many people feel that something simple but important has been lost. This book explores how that loss has occurred and how common sense can be strengthened again.
The decline of common sense does not mean that people have become less intelligent. Intelligence and common sense are different. Intelligence relates to knowledge and analytical skill. Common sense relates to judgement, awareness, and practical reasoning. A person can be highly intelligent yet still struggle to apply their knowledge in real situations. Likewise, someone without formal education may have strong common sense because they observe carefully, think clearly, and act calmly.
Common sense is not determined by education level or profession. It comes from experience, reflection, and the willingness to see things as they are rather than as one hopes or fears they might be.