Common sense is the sound judgement on matters affecting everyone’s life.
Differently put, it’s the ability to choose the right action, or verbal expression in every situation.
Although it’s vital for the survival of every individual and humanity, nowadays common sense is very uncommon. That is why the world is in disarray and many people are disoriented and dissatisfied with their lives.
Besides this psychological explanation, I see common sense as a powerful form of clean energy, just like electricity, solar or wind power for instance. Moreover, one that at a stroke would solve all the problems of the world if, ideally, it would be exerted by everyone.
Now, think if everyone would use common sense in whatever they do or say.
Here below is just a list of some of the benefits that common sense would bring to the world
If everyone had common sense, they would buy only things that they need and recycle them when broken and unrepairable. They wouldn’t throw away all sorts of objects and toxic materials in the environment thus keeping it clean, healthy and uncluttered.
They wouldn’t overeat or eat tons of junk food; drink alcohol in excess, chain smoke, take mind altering drugs, gamble without restrain, or fall into huge depts, in order to preserve their physical and mental health, thus enjoying happier and longer lives, while burdening much less the National Health Services.
They wouldn’t waste water that with the oncoming global warming is fast becoming the most precious earth’s resource, with some experts predicting that its scarcity will kill countless people and dry up large areas of the world.
They would use their cars only when needed opting, when possible, for walking, cycling or using public transport.
They wouldn’t be enchanted by and vote for greedy political egomaniac demagogues with megalomaniac aims, thus avoiding all the human and ecological disasters that such people when are elected to lead nations.
To sum it up the benefits of common sense if applied by everyone would be incalculable in every respect under the sun. That is why I see it as a form of energy
Sadly, and dangerously in this era of unrestrained consumerism, worship of celebrities, where people are daily bombarded with ads of all sorts that urge them to try to become richer in order to feel important and live lavish lifestyles; where they are also continuously influenced and manipulated by all sorts of twisted ideologies with masked interests, common sense has become rare.
It can be argued that expecting everyone to have common sense is an unrealistic idea. Also, that mistakes are made in spite of having common sense, but then the more people there are that use common sense the better it’s for the world. Besides even if making mistakes a person with common sense would find out the best way to mend them.
So, what can be done to restore some common sense in people?
People are the result of their environment, upbringing, culture and education. When they reach adulthood their habits, ideas, tastes, affiliations, political or religious views are firmly set in their minds, so they cannot change. Some can, but mostly can’t; either because they don’t have the discipline or willingness to change, or an open mind that can absorb new social and psychological learning as well as to be able of being auto critical. If one is a racist, a misogynist, an animal abuser, an extremist, an environmental vandal, an intolerant, arrogant or selfish person they are most unlikely to change because their mindsets are set in the way that they are.
The only way is to try to influence and motivate young people to become persons with common sense, empathy, respect, tolerance auto criticism and responsibility.
That is why we at ISE like to show our motivational works that enhance such qualities in places such as: school universities or sport venues where such people are.
After all the future is theirs and they are the ones who can change it for the better.
(In the above picture Aristotle the Greek philosopher who was the first to define common sense)
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