Experiment and experience: Approaches to approaching Truth

Abstract

The words experiment and experience are both derived from the Latin root of "experiens", suggesting "to be subjected to a thorough test." It is important that the verb "experiment" is now intransitive: a person can experiment on anything, thus putting himself a certain distance from it; at the same time, the word "experience" is direct - a person experiences something directly himself. The suffix "periri" is associated with the word "danger" or with a test that is at some personal risk. Both, experiment and experience, can be dangerous.