In understanding torah sh'baal peh, as well as halacha we generally work under the presumption that earlier generations were correct and/or knew more than later generations. For example many a talmud shiur revolves around being m'yashev the Rambam, showing how questions from later authorities against the Rambam's opinion can be resolved.
I would like to know where this understanding comes from and why it is seen as correct. In most other intellectual disciplines we assume that those who come later have the benefit of more information, better access to resources, and the 20/20 hindsight of seeing the errors of those before them.
For example today we may have the benefit of materials the Rishonim were never aware of.
So, why do we always assume that previous generations are right or knew more than later generations?
I would limit this question to the period after the close of the gemarah
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