Critical Thinking vs. Common Sense

It seems that everyday there is something about “critical thinking” in the news, on the internet or on television.

How does that compare to what we know as “common sense?”

A few years ago, my Granddaughter was attending a local community college, and she was taking a course called “Critical Thinking.” When she came home after her first day of classes, she began telling my wife and I about the course.

As we listened, I thought why are they teaching this? Isn’t this something that is natural, or should be? My wife said that technology was having a negative impact on common sense. Children today did not play with each other, and work out their differences, as they once had. I had to agree with her.

I decided to do some research to determine what the differences were today between “critical thinking” and “common sense.” Were there any that made sense?

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “critical thinking” as “the practice of thinking critically-as by applying reason and questioning assumptions – in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.”

Wikipedia defines “critical thinking” “as the process of analyzing available facts , evidence, observations, and arguments to reach sound conclusions or informed choices.”

Another definition is “ disciplined thinking that is clear, rational open-minded, and informed by evidence.”

What then is “common sense?” Hasanthi, a seasoned content author defines common sense as “ something that comes naturally. It is good sense and sound judgement in practical matters.”

He goes on to say that common sense is a” type of unwritten and unspoken knowledge that all humans have. We acquire it unconsciously from the time we are born. We acquire this knowledge through experience, observation and curiosity, without even being aware.”

He believes that critical thinking is “ the ability to think in an organized and rational manner, understanding the logical connection between ideas and facts.”

Can critical thinking be actually taught? There has been much research into this and it is my belief, based upon the available information, is that the “jury is still out.”

There have been a number of research projects that have attempted to answer that question. One study was at North Carolina State University. There was an attempt to assess the humanities role in teaching critical thinking. They indicated that some success was found, but apparently it wasn’t overwhelming.

I believe the results of the various studies are not definitive yet.

Hasanthi concludes that “ the main difference between common sense and critical thinking is that common sense is something that comes naturally, while critical thinking is an intentional process where we assess or analyze a situation in a rational and organized manner."

I do not disagree that there is a definite relationship between the two. In fact, I think, without “common sense,” how can there be “critical thinking?”

It appears to me that common sense is the basis of what is described as critical thinking.

Can “critical thinking” be taught? I still am not sure.

Can “Common Sense” be taught? Absolutely not. It is the culmination of one’s life experiences from a young age. It generally occurs unconsciously, and one generally makes correct decisions.

“Critical Thinking” is thought to occur at a conscious level, and decisions may not be correct because of the reliability of the information or the error of the thought process.

It is obvious that the discussion comparing these two will not be resolved anytime soon.

I still wonder about teaching critical thinking. Is it really possible?

Jess Sweely

Madison, VA

July 27, 2026