Can we learn from second hand experiences or must we have our own?

Question

I'm thinking about what we see happening to other people,that we know or hear of,and about what we read,including fiction,what we watch on TV and movies...

Your thoughts?

Thank you for sharing!:)

What did you learn from movies and books ?

Which ones?

Answer 1

Learning comes in many forms, Moon. Experiencing something for yourself, firsthand, is likely the most effective, especially in terms of retention. But yes, you can learn things vicariously through the experiences of others or even by simple observation.

Acquiring knowledge through books, television and films is another method of learning, of course. All of these media are used as educational tools, both in and out of the classroom. But couldn't one argue that by experiencing these sources of learning through your own eyes and ears you are, in effect, getting firsthand knowledge?

Think about it....

Answer 2

Of course we can, I see this most clearly demonstrated in parenthood. If a father cannot pass on the wisdom gained from an experience to his son, then what sense does that make?

It's really very simple, second-hand wisdom is always around us.

If a man in front of you walks up to a door that says "pull" and he pulls; if the door doesn't open, you have thus learned second-hand from his experience.

Likewise, if every human had to jump of a cliff and learn firsthand that humans do not fly, where would that leave us now?

Answer 3

I am a firm believer that we can definatley learn from other's experiences... I am the youngest of 10 children and have seen my siblings do some pretty stupid things w/ drugs, alchohol, legal issues etc. Because of their bad example, I learned that those things were bad, and didn't have to find out by trial and error, I had their trial and error to help me out.
HOWEVER, we are all going to make mistakes of our own, including doing things that we know are stupid. The point is to learn from those mistakes and to do better the next time.

Answer 4

I have learned a lot from others mistakes a few ex: i was not an unwed teenage mom(not judging -just not for me) i am not an alcoholic, i dont deal drugs ,i am not in an abusive relationship, i do not cheat on my lover -of course ive made my own mistakes but soap operas are "what not to do" so if your life resembles a soap -do some serious reconsidering.p s my family resembles a soap so i stay away to avoid the melo drama

Answer 5

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of Victory

As he defeated-dying
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!

Answer 6

Of course we can learn from second-hand experiences. It's called observational learning, and it's most famous figure is Albert Bandura. Try Googling his name to see just how important observational learning is.

Answer 7

the best person is the one that learns from the mistakes of others,but not so many people are like that (like me),a person should have the ability to learn that's why we have brains, non the less people do make mistakes but i think a person will learn better from his own mistakes but as i said it would be best for him and less painful to listen to others and learn from their mistakes

Answer 8

Someone once said:"Smart people learn from other people's mistakes, and those who are not so smart make their own". I belive that this is mostly true, but sometimes you must experience some things yourself. Then you became better person.

Answer 9

I think wise people can learn from other's experiences.

For example, I have learned from other girls that having unprotected sex is a really bad idea.

Unfortunately I think most people have difficulties even learning from their own.

Answer 10

yes of course. its refered to as observational learning. it has its place in classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

take for example....if you have never done something as simple as doing laundry...you learn not necessarilly by reading a book or the instructions or the care tags on the cloths...most likely you learn by watching someone else do it. you learn how to do something by watching someone else do it first.

Answer 11

You can always learn second hand, although it is often less than trustworthy. Experience is the best teacher, but it isn't the only teacher.