A Case for Experientialism

Anything purported to be fact can be supported by evidence no matter how ridiculous these days. With the abundance of fake news, false statistics and contorted facts, everything is true when someone wants it to be. To find so-called objective truth, some people like to tout the supremacy of scientific data or words of so-called experts. This only seems believable when you ignore the fact that our entire world is fabricated. History is changing on the regular so one cannot be sure that the information presented is actual fact. If you present data as fact, someone else can come along and present opposing data as fact.

There are many so-called facts which we generally accept, but somewhere in the world, somebody has an equally convincing counter argument that is not seen as fact yet. In such a world, the only true reliable source of information is experience. Our experience is not necessarily fact, but it is the information with which one is most intimate. Science goes unchallenged in our society which is a precarious position to be in because now our information is again being centralized. Corporations fund studies and do you think those scientists will come back with findings that go against what that corporations agenda is?

One problem with science in today’s world is that it is touted as the immutable truth, but how often are scientific findings wrong and have to be updated? It’s important to remember that scientific findings are the interpretations of perceptions of humans and humans are inherently flawed so science shouldn’t be used or thought of as THE source of knowledge. Another problem is that since people generally do not question science, those with power and influence can fund studies, present the most outlandish findings and pass them off as facts or science, lulling their adherents to sleep and creating a false worldview in the process.

Experientialism is a doctrine of thought that states knowledge obtained through personal experience is the only or principle basis of knowledge. Nobody can tell you how the world is, you must experience it for yourself. There’s no shortage of facts or alternative facts that one can use to support an arguement, but if all of your information is second hand, hlhow sure of that information can you be?

Experientialism does have its limitations. For one, it can lead an adherent to stubbornly reject that which they have not directly experienced. This is not the point of experientialism but humans have a tendency to be extremists when it comes philosophical doctrines so an open mind will always be your best friend. Another limitation is that others will have different experiences than you so your information may not be the same, which can cause discord. Again, open mindedness is your best friend.

No way of thinking or living is the “right” way, but adherents of scientism tend to be awfully smug about what a doctor or scientist says. Also, people have a tendency to think that popular belief equals truth...this is laughable at best. In this world, you have to question the information you receive. With the money involved, people’s worship of it and overall lack of verification of popular thought, can you afford not to?