Idiot! Why do you think that way...what's wrong with you?!

Guest post by: John Patterson

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Idiot! Why do you think that way...what's wrong with you?!

You think it or sometimes say it. I was in a discussion last night about common sense and the popular statement was made: "People should have more of it".

I would argue that there is no such thing.

"Common sense" consists of what people in common would agree on: that which they “sense” as their common natural understanding. People use the phrase to refer to beliefs that— in their opinion — most people would consider of sound judgment, without reliance on study or research, but based upon what they see as knowledge held by people “in common”. Thus “common sense” (in this view) equates to knowledge and experience which most people allegedly have, or which the person using the term believes that they should have.¹

The difficulty of 'wishing that others had more common sense' is that the person using the term rarely, if ever, takes responsibility for the fact that they are talking about their own belief, from their vantage point in the context of their limited view.

You don't hear them say:

"I have a view that is the sum total of my experiences, history, geography, race, culture and the era in which I was born...incorporated into a philosophy that I invented, deduced or inherited, and, in my opinion, is how all people should live and act for life to work. You should agree with my philosophy and view...and if you don't, you are a problem to me. Never mind the fact that you have devised your own solutions, philosophies, strategies and belief systems...they are flawed and invalid because they are not mine."

What you call common sense might just devolve into your own personal plan for the master race.

I have rarely met a person who does not dream of traveling. In fact, most people have ambitions to explore different lands; to discover and experience the wonders of the world, to tasted unique cuisines and touch the craftsmanship of native hands.

I have rarely met a person who has that relationship to people; to discover each one as a unique place.

Perhaps peace comes, not in wishing that we all saw life the same way, but in exploring all the ways it can be seen. Or so I see it.

John Patterson

Blog: Genius+Power+Magic

Leadership, Performance and Living a Damn Good Life ¹. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

© 2009 Influence Ecology

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About the Author: John Patterson RSS for John's articles - Visit John's website John Patterson is a entrepreneur and Founder & President of The Chicago Convergence; "You bring the digital sparks, we'll supply the gasoline." With 23 years of training in a variety of leadership and performance disciplines, my focus is on existing and new distinctions which help people exceed in their primary personal, lifestyle and financial ambitions. Click here to visit John's website More from John Patterson On my own Idiot Why do you think that waywhats wrong with you Is the pathway clear Will a tiger eat you today Bad Habits

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