These two advances seem to be almost equal.

They both give the same credits, only WR gives 5 more on Civic. Apart from that, they lead to different advances.


Is this done with intent or do you plan to change one ot the cards?

Regards,
Michael

They don't give the same credits. Written Records gives a total of 15 credits (5 Science, 5 Civic and 5 of your choice), while Empiricism gives a total of 30 credits (10 Science, 5 Civic, 5 Craft, 5 Art, and 5 Religion).
In most cases Empiricism will be a better buy, but Written Records has potential to be cheaper to purchase (you'll use your Civic credits if you got more of them than Science credits), and offers you more choice (you can choose to get 10 Civic credits). And of course they give different specific credits.

The only "almost identical" cards in the deck are Drama and Poetry and Music, who really only differs in their specific credit, but that is an inheritance from Advanced Civilization (we have added cards, but not removed any).