"Les axiomes éthiques sont découverts et testés de manière pas très différente des axiomes de la science. La vérité est ce qui résiste à l'épreuve de l'expérience."

The heart of this quote is that ethics, like science, relies on real-world testing and experiences to determine what's true or right. It's saying that our moral principles aren't just theoretical—they need to be proven through how they actually work in life. This idea suggests that, just like scientific theories, ethical beliefs are validated when they hold up under scrutiny and practical application.

Let’s rewind a bit to understand the context. This notion comes from a time when there were massive shifts in how people viewed both science and morality. Think of the early 20th century, a period marked by rapid scientific advances and philosophical exploration. At this crossroads, thinkers were grappling with how to reconcile age-old moral teachings with new scientific understandings. The idea here is that we should treat our ethical beliefs as hypotheses to be tested against real-world outcomes.

Imagine you're a manager at a company, and you believe that transparency with employees is the best policy. Rather than just accepting this as a moral truth, you put it into practice. You start sharing more information about company decisions, financial status, and upcoming changes. Over time, you notice that employees are more engaged, trust in leadership increases, and overall job satisfaction rises. This real-life example shows that your ethical belief in transparency stands the test of experience. It’s a bit like a scientist forming a hypothesis and then conducting experiments to see if it holds water.

So how can you apply this wisdom? First, don’t be afraid to test your moral beliefs. If you think honesty is the best policy, try it out in different situations and see what happens. Pay attention to the outcomes and adjust if necessary. Maybe you believe in treating everyone with respect, regardless of their position. Live it out and observe the effects on your relationships and interactions. This approach requires a bit of courage—you have to be willing to see your beliefs fail and adapt accordingly.

Here’s a relatable scenario to bring this to life. Think about a time when you had to make a tough decision, like choosing between two job offers. One job aligns more with your passion but pays less, while the other offers a higher salary but doesn’t excite you as much. You might believe that following your passion leads to greater happiness. So, you take the passion job. Over time, you can assess whether this decision brings you fulfillment and joy. If it does, your belief is validated. If not, it’s time to rethink and maybe adjust your ethical framework.

In essence, this approach to ethics is dynamic and practical. It's not about rigidly sticking to moral rules but being open to testing and refining them through real-world experiences. Think of it as a journey of continuous learning and adapting, much like scientific discovery. You don’t just accept ethical axioms blindly—you explore, test, and evolve them based on how they stand up to the realities of everyday life.