experience


jts

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I was listening to a video of Yaron Brook saying people don't learn from experience about capitalism vs socialism. I was reminded of Dr. Herbert Shelton. Of course Shelton was talking about experience in health, not experience in politics.

--- quote from Dr. Herbert Shelton ---

Was not Trall right when he declared that man's experience "is not worth a straw. A man's experience tells him what he likes best, and this is always what his appetites have been most accustomed to, not what is best for him." No man's experience is worth anything if it conflicts with known principles. Unless interpreted in the light of correct principles, experience may be a very misleading guide. Experience is simply a groping in the dark--a feeling our way over obscure paths or trackless wildernesses, and wither she has led us, history has partially recorded. Not until correct principles strip the mists from our eyes and interpret our experiences can knowledge become systematic and reliable.

We do not want to be understood as disparaging the importance of human experience. It is the ultimate measure of truth, the basis of human knowledge, and yet it is valuable only when tested in the light of truth already established. Experience has been the recourse of the ignorant in all ages and every absurdity within the imagination of man has been practised in obedience to its teachings. Experience teaches men that their bad habits do not hurt them, even that they are means of preserving health and prolonging life. Experience, except when interpreted in the light of sound principles, has always proved itself an idle tale and utterly untrustworthy. In its name every conceivable falsehood has been propagated, and under its guidance almost every woe that afflicts humanity has been practised. Principles, on the other hand, are the keys to universal knowledge and, consequently, of universal power.

--- end quote ---

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I was listening to a video of Yaron Brook saying people don't learn from experience about capitalism vs socialism. I was reminded of Dr. Herbert Shelton. Of course Shelton was talking about experience in health, not experience in politics.

--- quote from Dr. Herbert Shelton ---

Was not Trall right when he declared that man's experience "is not worth a straw. A man's experience tells him what he likes best, and this is always what his appetites have been most accustomed to, not what is best for him." No man's experience is worth anything if it conflicts with known principles. Unless interpreted in the light of correct principles, experience may be a very misleading guide. Experience is simply a groping in the dark--a feeling our way over obscure paths or trackless wildernesses, and wither she has led us, history has partially recorded. Not until correct principles strip the mists from our eyes and interpret our experiences can knowledge become systematic and reliable.

We do not want to be understood as disparaging the importance of human experience. It is the ultimate measure of truth, the basis of human knowledge, and yet it is valuable only when tested in the light of truth already established. Experience has been the recourse of the ignorant in all ages and every absurdity within the imagination of man has been practised in obedience to its teachings. Experience teaches men that their bad habits do not hurt them, even that they are means of preserving health and prolonging life. Experience, except when interpreted in the light of sound principles, has always proved itself an idle tale and utterly untrustworthy. In its name every conceivable falsehood has been propagated, and under its guidance almost every woe that afflicts humanity has been practised. Principles, on the other hand, are the keys to universal knowledge and, consequently, of universal power.

--- end quote ---

How does a principle get to be a "sound principle"? Is it not an inductively arrived at generalization? Is it not on the basis of observed fact? If not, then what?

Ba'al Chatzaf

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