From practice to theory:Thomas Mun

We must consider that in field economy of is theory, and after it is become practice, it is usually method to learn something, but in trade principal taught is experience; certainly it is normal, but today is very different from past centuries, because now we have learned by university; thereupon from theory, and after we become practical men, but by theory, that has taught us as become practical; but I repeat during past centuries it was contrary, above all in trade dynamic, and we can understand it by a theoretic treated of Thomas Mun (1571-1641) England’s treasure by foreign trade his methods to trade; he has e trade man and he has written in 1621 a book necessary to trade and he has very exact and truthworth, we can ask why?, answer is very simple, because he has took from experience his taught; in fact this step is meaningful: “The particular ways and means to encrease the exportation of our commodities, and to decrease our Consumption of forraign wares.he revenue or stock of a Kingdom by which it is provided of forraign wares is either Natural or Artificial. The Natural wealth is so much only as can be spared from our own use and necessities to be exported unto strangers.”, we can think that it is theory alone, but it isn’t, because is practice and after it was become theory, thereupon Mun has took his experience and he has given it to a book, other step says: “  The Artificial consists in our manufactures and industrious trading with forraign commodities, concerning which I will set down such particulars as may serve for the cause we have in hand. First, although this Realm be already exceeding rich by nature, yet might it be much encreased by laying the waste grounds (which are infinite) into such employments as should no way hinder the present revenues of other manufactured lands, but hereby to supply our selves and prevent the importations of Hemp, Flax, Cordage, Tobacco, and divers other things which now we fetch from strangers to our great impoverishing”. It is normal and mechanic think, but I want concentrate my attention on phenomenological occurred; a process that set theory after that experience, we must learn to write and after we can become writer, but now is contrary; he has took from reality theory. And other step is very meaningful, in fact it says: " Yet might they easily beamended by enforcing the observation of such good laws as are strictlypractised in other Countries against the said excesses". It is nothing if we read it but not consider that he has mentioned other countries; during 1664, year of pubblication of this treated, certainly informations from other countries were very scarse, but he said other countries, how he know it? Because by trade that he undertaken he has took these learns and he has translated in this book; and since trade and its prices is variable, he didn't report name of caountry, but we can understand that he has took by experience. 

Alessandro Lusana