Common nonsense

HOW can reader K. Clarke claim there is no such thing as common sense (Letters)? Part of this skill is the ability to grasp you are not qualified to undertake a task.

Recent prime ministers adhere to the Peter Principle — everyone rises to their level of incompetence by being promoted beyond their capabilities.

Having common sense would mean they could freely admit they had found themselves out of their depth.

Sadly, ambition, power and greed nullify common sense.

HUW BEYNON, Llandeilo, Carms. TO DEMONSTRATE his point, K. Clarke uses the analogy that you could not defuse an unexploded bomb with common sense.

I agree, but sound judgment would prevent you from kicking it to see what would happen. TONY SMITH, Battle, E. Sussex. MY GRANDFATHER, a senior foreman in a car factory, had a simple way of assessing an apprentice’s nous.

If he asked them to get a left-handed screwdriver and they simply picked one up with their appropriate hand, he knew they would be worth training. But he often had to go to the stores to fetch an apprentice who had been sent there for a long weight (wait).

NIGEL BARKS, Banstead, Surrey.