What is the Difference Between Common Sense and Intelligence?

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Common sense and intelligence are not the same, although they are sometimes confused. They differ in several aspects:

  1. Focus: Common sense is focused on practical knowledge and understanding in everyday matters, while intelligence refers to the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, including specialized knowledge.
  2. Nature: Common sense is mainly about being practical and having sound judgment in real-life situations, whereas intelligence is about the intellectual capacity of a person.
  3. Measurement: Intelligence can be measured through various IQ tests, whereas common sense is not usually measurable.
  4. Specialized Knowledge: Common sense does not include specialized knowledge, but intelligence may involve it.
  5. Independence: Intelligence does not necessarily guarantee that a person has common sense as well. There can be highly intelligent people who lack common sense, and vice versa.

In summary, common sense is about practical wisdom and understanding in everyday situations, while intelligence is about the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, including specialized knowledge. Both qualities are important for making good judgments and decisions, but they are not the same and do not necessarily go hand in hand.

Comparative Table: Common Sense vs Intelligence

The main difference between common sense and intelligence is that common sense refers to practical, everyday judgment and reasoning, while intelligence encompasses a person's overall cognitive abilities and knowledge. Here is a table comparing the two concepts:

Feature Common Sense Intelligence
Focus Practical judgment and decision-making based on experience and knowledge Acquiring and applying knowledge and skills, including specialized knowledge
Nature Generally considered innate Developed through learning, education, and problem-solving
Measurement Not usually measurable Can be measured through IQ tests
Specialized Knowledge Does not involve specialized knowledge May involve specialized knowledge

In summary, common sense is the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on practical knowledge, while intelligence is a more complex concept that includes a person's cognitive abilities and capacity for learning, problem-solving, and acquiring specialized knowledge.