Quotes: 2) Lionel Robbins on “historical indication absent theory”

Lionel Robbins:

In the absence of rational grounds for supposing intimate connection, there would be no sufficient reason for supposing that history “would repeat itself”. For if there is one thing which is shown by history, not less than by elementary logic, it is that historical induction unaided by the analytical judgment, is the worst possible basis of prophecy.

From Chapter 4 of The Nature and Significance of Economic Science.