Books vs. Experience: Heraclitus, Abu al-Walid al-Baji, and Ibn Hazm’ Perspectives

Each individual has their own history and events that contribute, in one way or another, to their formation. Personalities are influenced by various factors, and different perspectives exist regarding them. Some believe that experience is a fundamental element in shaping one’s personality, while others emphasize the importance of reading and learning, stating that books are crucial in shaping perceptions and awareness. Both sides present their arguments, but it is worth noting that those who lack experience often use reading as a means to defend the importance of reading in personality development. On the other hand, those who lack reading see in experience the threads that weave human character. Proverbs and sayings have been used to illustrate this, such as the saying attributed to Heraclitus: “A man’s character is his fate,” meaning that our actions shape our personality, existence, and perception of life. Ultimately, we are nothing more than what we have become.

The story of “Zorba the Greek” by Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, published in 1946, reflects this perception. It presents two contrasting characters: one is an educated and avid reader, while the other has learned from life through his experiences. Each of them has developed a unique outlook on life, which is then embodied in their respective personas. This same situation repeats itself daily before us… How many have been enlightened by life despite their lack of knowledge! The root cause of this discrepancy between the two sides lies in the extremism of their choices and their defense of them. Our positions, no matter how rational they may appear and no matter how strong their arguments, ultimately remain emotional, stemming from the sentiments that form within us during childhood. I mention childhood here because it is the phase in which our personalities grow and take shape. A child raised in an environment without reading will accumulate life experiences and knowledge as their capital. On the other hand, a child raised in an educated environment where books are prevalent will chronicle their life through books, as exemplified by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who states in his Confessions: “I date my life from the day I learned to read.”

If we move beyond the topic of the juxtaposition between reading and experience, we find that reading does not negate cognitive class distinctions. Someone who grows up in a vast library is not the same as someone who grows up with one or two books. Likewise, someone who possesses knowledge in one field is not the same as someone who possesses knowledge in two or more fields. In short, someone who knows a single melody is not the same as someone who is acquainted with many melodies. Abu al-Walid al-Baji, in one of his debates with Ibn Hazm, apologizes to the latter by saying, “”If I have erred or fallen short in the debate, then forgive me, for I sought knowledge in the light of the path.”.” Ibn Hazm’s response was, “Forgive me as well, for I sought knowledge in palaces adorned with gold and silver.” This exchange alludes to the socioeconomic status of each individual, with the former implying that he acquired knowledge through perseverance and struggle, in contrast to Ibn Hazm, who lived in a palace and studied as the nobles and elites do.

In my perception, the source of knowledge in general is emotion, not intellect. By “emotion,” I mean the inclination and desire to learn, as if it were the initial spark that ignites the fuse. Anything that does not have emotion as its beginning cannot be relied upon. Emotion is both an element in beginnings and a factor in the continuation of any action. Emotion is the key to intellect and rationality, and there is no true rationality without emotion.

There have been claims made and arguments presented based on the meaning of a verse by Abu Tammam: “The sword conveys a truer message than books.” These claimants misunderstood its intended meaning, thinking it implies the superiority of the sword over books. However, this interpretation is not absolute, as the mentioned “book” does not refer to all books in general but rather specifically to the books of astrologers. The poem was composed, as is well known, during the invasion of Amuriyya in the days of Al-Mu’tasim, when there was a debate about his decision to launch the invasion. The astrologers claimed that the timing was not favorable and it might result in a shameful defeat. Abu Tammam, in response, expressed his stance through those verses, saying that the books of the astrologers were false. The intended “book” here refers to the books of those astrologers who engage in deception. The verse praises the power of the sword and suggests that it holds the decisive resolution and solution.

Some have sought advice in love; does advice benefit lovers? Perhaps it is mere blindness, confusion, and misjudgment… Love is a path with no guideposts… There are those who search for guidance in books and the poems of poets, but they will not find salvation there… And there are those who seek it through experience, yet the experience cannot be repeated, even though Mahmoud Darwich said: “There is no advice in love, but there is experience.”

Experience is nothing more than a suitable glimpse of the truth, not inherently linked to it. No one goes through the exact same experience to the extent that there are suitable elements that make us believe we are going through the same circumstances. There is no better evidence of this than the famous saying: “Ask the experienced, not the doctor.” This is an extremely dangerous statement because it perpetuates destructive therapeutic behaviors that are harmful to public health. Extending its application to other social issues could lead to catastrophic results. Experience belongs to a field of knowledge that claims certainty in its premises and results, but its connection to humanity makes it a part of the relativity of existence. Nothing is similar to what came before it or what comes after it, except for the presence of suitability. By suitability, we mean the mere association between the cause and the effect or, if you will, between the reason and the result. Therefore, every matter must have its own expert. By expert, we metaphorically refer to anyone who possesses knowledge derived from research, scrutiny, and expertise.