Character Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
“Common-sense appears to be only another name for the thoughtlessness of the unthinking. It is made of the prejudices of childhood, the idiosyncrasies of individual character and the opinion of the newspapers.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Common Sense, 1925
Common sense is often just unexamined prejudice from childhood, personal quirks, and media influence.
In simple terms: Common sense can be biased.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek evidence.
Themes
bias
prejudice
media influence
critical thinking
individuality
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- media consumption
- education curricula
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
social conditioning
media literacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal biases shape your “common sense”?
- How does media shape what you consider obvious?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate the value of intuitive judgments.
