Word of the day: consensus

History

The term "consensus" has found application in various fields. In relation to public policy, it was first used by Cicero to denote harmony between all estates in society.

The word was introduced into scientific circulation by the philosopher Auguste Comte. His later description of consensus as subjective agreement, the coincidence of opinions and habits that bind humanity into a single whole, has become widespread in sociology.

In psychology, consensus is the understanding of the attitudes and behavior of other people. Due to the fact that a person is still inclined to perceive his actions and views as typical for others, the effect of a false consensus has appeared. For example, you don't like ginger, so you feel like most people don't like it either.

Today, the term is mainly used in legal, legal and political contexts, and is also found in everyday speech and literature in the broader and simpler meaning of "agreeing."

Usage examples

“Many years ago, I realized that Darwin and Nietzsche came to a consensus on one thing: the distinguishing characteristic of a living organism is struggle.” Paul Kalaniti, “When breath dissolves into thin air. Sometimes fate doesn't care that you are a doctor."
"Kaizen assumes that a decision or proposal must come from the workers, and requires that any decision must be preceded by open discussion and consensus." Jeffrey K. Liker, Toyota's Tao. 14 management principles of the world's leading company”.
"In society, through consensus, we agree on what is normal and what is not, but this consensus is a wide river, not a narrow string along which a tightrope walker walks high above the arena." Dean Koontz, Prediction.