"Experience alone can give a final answer. The knowledge gained in a few years by a commission of the kind suggested would be worth more than volumes of mere assertions and contradictions"

The quote by John Bates Clark highlights the value of empirical proof and firsthand experience in forming reliable and trusted conclusions. Clark recommends that experience has the special ability to offer conclusive responses, which are more reliable than conclusions drawn exclusively from theoretical assertions or disputes that do not have practical grounding.

The expression "Experience alone can provide a last answer" underscores the idea that direct engagement with truth and practical application is important for understanding intricate phenomena. This perspective advocates for discovering through doing, recommending that real-world screening and evaluation are vital for validating ideas and theories.

In the context of Clark's second sentence, "The knowledge acquired in a few years by a commission of the kind suggested would deserve more than volumes of mere assertions and contradictions", he argues for the formation of a dedicated group that methodically examines and studies a particular problem, making use of direct experiences rather than depending on theoretical or pre-owned discussions. Here, Clark contrasts the deep, nuanced understanding that can be acquired from focused, empirical research study with the frequently shallow and conflicting nature of theoretical arguments.

Clark is likely promoting for an approach to knowledge that prioritizes data-driven and experiential learning procedures, perhaps in governmental, social, or financial contexts, where policy decisions require to be notified by outcomes in the field. The necessity of such commissions suggests a recommendation of collective, interdisciplinary techniques that pool varied know-how to take a look at issues holistically.

In essence, Clark's argument champions the idea that enduring realities and practical options are discovered through real-world experimentation and reflection, asserting that this approach transcends to passive knowing or purely theoretical discourse in creating reputable and actionable understanding.