What Is Common Sense… Really?

One of the simplest ways to intuitively understand what "common sense" means is by dividing it into two words – “common” and “sense.”

“Common” implies that there is something available to everyone that can be freely used by common people and educated and privileged people. “Sense” often refers to one of the body’s senses and its ability to perceive external stimuli, such as seeing, smelling, touching, etc. Basically, sense refers to an understanding of something and recognizing an object based on past or present experiences.

Put the two words together, and you get “an understanding that is widely available to everyone,” or generally available intelligence.