In this particular case, there is a certain amount that can be understood from asking questions. Sam's responsibility should have been to ask follow up questions to each piece of advice. Sam should have weighed those answers with his problem specific objective. This isn't complete understanding but it is to the extent possible for Sam without real personal experience.

If Sam decides to move forward in spite of everything he has learned, he needs to keep that advice in perspective as he undertakes the project. This is infinite recursion as that knowledge is applied to the next situation.