by Dr. G. A. Anderson

Created on: April 25, 2010   Last Updated: May 05, 2010

Most of us have heard it said, in one form or another, that someone is "book smart, but lacks common sense."  We've also heard people referred to as stupid, a derogatory term, to say the least, but it means that a person is deemed unintelligent. What that means is that a person can be extremely well educated, as in "book smart," but can lack the common sense it takes to live day to day without undesirable consequences. Here are two examples of consequences caused by lack of common sense and lack of intelligence. Both are true stories:

Case A - intelligent but lacking common sense.

A woman in her 40s has had the privilege of studying at the best schools, is sharp as a tack, and articulate. She runs the family business and conducts transactions that are difficult and complex with other business people. She can prepare tax returns for others with confidence that there will be no errors - she easily does most of the math in her head. Her studies in business and economics have prepared her for this type of work, and she thrives on the challenges of business deals and complicated transactions. She enjoys political involvement and is civic-minded. Her formal education is well-rounded and ongoing. There is no stupidity in this area. She is "book smart."

In her personal life, she makes bad choices and decisions. She procrastinates, takes risks with household expenses... spending on items that are unnecessary or beyond her means, often neglects her own appearance, family, and home. One summer, she makes a bad choice after believing in a deal that, to most people, sounds too good to be true. Ultimately, her decisions cost the family their entire property, a large piece of land that has been in the family for over 50 years. By letting herself be taken in by unscrupulous people, she shows her lack common sense; we may say she is naive, but nobody could accuse her of being stupid.

As a result, many outsiders who learn of the misfortune decide she's stupid and do not hesitate to say so. However, she is not at all stupid, but unfortunately, she has an extreme lack of common sense. The deal she makes is sure to turn out badly, but instead of considering the consequences if the deal falls through, she signs on the dotted line and loses everything, convinced all will be well. It isn't stupidity in her case. Ordinarily, she's quite astute in her dealings. In this case, it's lack of good common sense.

Case B - lacking intelligence and common sense

A man nearing 65 reveals

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