Fine I will go with the philosophic flow. If that is what you are trying to do here.
-Reflection: How do I feel about this, drawing from what I was taught about good and bad, right and wrong.
-Imitation: Studying/School. I read the words, and they give me a sense of perspective. Regardless of whether it is math, history or chemistry. I see the people I look up to and model myself after their image.
-Experience: I did a stupid thing. I have to make sure I never do it again.
There are people who have never had anyone to give them the means of reflection, never given them a proper example or tools for imitation, and are too young to draw from experience. These are often the people in our society that we see making bad choices. Someone has failed them. And there is little they could have done to live their lives differently. Only a few standout individuals possess the intelligence and character to make good choices without guidance. It is no coincidence that more often than not, it is only later in life, after having experienced terrible things, these people learn how to live.
