More direct than science or literature (which are both second hand mediums needing personal verification.) is personal experience. Benefit can be gotten from literature and even science but both are full of bombast,hot air,wild gesticulations and wishful thoughts. Most writers,theologians,post modernists,philosophers and especially scientists dont even understand themselves,so i will be tickled pink if they have any good advice to give on the human condition. If i need to make mass produce a cup i may ask a scientist otherwise forget it. Shakespeare humbles 99% of what is written to dust.