Leonardo da Vinci’s quote, "Common Sense is that which judges the things given to it by other senses," highlights the importance of critical thinking and discernment. It suggests that our five senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell – provide us with raw data about the world around us. However, it is our common sense or reasoning that allows us to interpret, understand, and make judgments about this information.
In other words, our senses are the tools that collect observations, but it is our common sense that analyzes these observations, filters out the irrelevant, and forms a coherent understanding of our environment. This underlines the crucial role of critical thinking in our interaction with the world.
Applying this concept to today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources – social media, news outlets, personal interactions, and more. Like our senses, these sources provide raw data. However, it is our ‘common sense’ or critical thinking skills that we need to employ to judge the credibility and relevance of this information. In the era of ‘fake news’ and misinformation, this ability to discern truth from falsehood is more important than ever.
In terms of personal development, this quote emphasizes the importance of developing our critical thinking skills. It encourages us to not just passively receive information, but to actively engage with it, question it, and make our own judgments. This is a valuable skill in all areas of life, from making personal decisions to understanding complex issues in our society. It’s about becoming an active thinker rather than a passive receiver of information.
In essence, da Vinci’s quote is a timeless reminder of the power and importance of critical thinking, discernment, and active engagement with the world around us.
