In Julian Barnes' "The Sense of an Ending," he reflects on a common human tendency where individuals often make instinctive decisions first and subsequently create justifications for them. This approach contrasts with what one might expect, as it implies that our reasoning is not as rational as we believe, but rather serves to support our pre-existing conclusions.

The author suggests that this process is mistakenly labeled as common sense, highlighting the cognitive bias that affects our judgment. By acknowledging this pattern, Barnes encourages a deeper introspection into the nature of our decisions and the reasoning we construct around them, prompting readers to reconsider the authenticity of their beliefs.