Heroism: Definition Essay

What is the definition of heroism? What is a hero? Who are the people we make heroes of? Why do we need heroes, what is the purpose? What makes them so special? What happens when a hero falls, will another one arise? Zimbardo gives the following answer to these troubling questions: “I believe that heroism is different from altruism and compassion. For the last five years, my colleagues and I have been exploring the nature and roots of heroism, studying exemplary cases of heroism and surveying thousands of people about their choices to act (or not act) heroically. In that time, we’ve come to define heroism as an activity with several parts. First, it’s performed in service to others in need — whether that’s a person, group, or community — or in defense of certain ideals. Second, it’s engaged voluntarily, even in military contexts, as heroism remains an act that goes beyond something required by military duty. Third, a heroic act is one performed with recognition of possible risks and costs, whether to one’s physical health or personal reputation, in which the actor is willing to accept the anticipated sacrifice. Finally, it is performed without external gain anticipated at the time of the act”.

I agree with Zimbardo's idea because, by my definition, a hero is someone who we determine to have demonstrated behaviors, morals, values, and decisions that are ethically and emotionally worthy of our awe. We see in them what we think we don’t have. Here are some quotes that inspire people to be heroic: “A hero. You want to be one of those rare human beings who make history, rather than merely watch it flow around them like water around a rock”, or ”We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, discovering we have the strength to stare it down”. When we think of heroes, the majority of us think of movie stars or professional athletes, but it’s not always about your popularity or talent, heroism can also be about how you help the community and what you give back to people.

Thinking about heroism, I remembered my grandma. The images and traits that came to mind were courage, passion, integrity, honesty, confidence, patience, selflessness, humility, and support. I remember, when I was younger, she would come home from work, cook meals, and we would go out and hand them to the homeless. During the fall and winter, she would knit blankets and hand them out to the homeless, and also make coco. Even when she would be tired, she still would go out and help the ones who were less fortunate, and I would look up to her as a hero because she was putting smiles on the faces of people who didn’t have anyone to help them. She did not mind doing it, but her heart would feel extra warm, just to see them happy for a couple of minutes, without having to bring up their situation.

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Heroism is about showing courage when faced with a problem or problems. A hero is a person who is able to help another in various ways, even if it is the littlest thing. A person can show heroism by saving someone who is in danger. Another example of a hero is someone who is there to help others and gives them strength to go on through life's difficulties such as the death of a family member, unemployment, homelessness, etc. A hero can be someone who gave up his or her life so another could live to see theirs because they saw that potential to be great.

I do believe that heroes don't have to be afraid to engage in a heroic act, they can just do it out of impulse or a feeling. Most of the time, heroes are also scared because they are humans just like the rest of the world. But at the same moment, they feel a sense of a moral obligation or something inside of them tells them to act, regardless of whether they are terrified or not. On several occasions, the heroes talked about how they were afraid at times, but that they had some type of superhuman strength and will that allowed them to act in such a way. Zimbardo discusses such a dutiful hero: “I love the story of a wonderful nine-year-old Chinese boy, who I call a dutiful hero. In 2008, there was a massive earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. The ceiling fell down on a school, killing almost all the kids in it. This kid escaped, and as he was running away, he noticed two other kids struggling to get out. He ran back and saved them. He was later asked, ‘Why did you do that?’. He replied, ‘I was the hall monitor! It was my duty, it was my job to look after my classmates!’”.

In 'What Makes a Hero', Zimbardo argues that a key principle of heroism is that heroes are most effective not alone but in a network. It’s through forming a network that people have the resources to bring their heroic impulses to life. Heroes are not alone, they have people who help them, who are in the background. For instance, Batman has Alfred who works with him from the Batcave while Batman is fighting crime. Also, Zimbardo continues to go on to say: “Altruism is heroism light, it doesn't always involve risk. Compassion is a virtue that may lead to heroism, but we don't know what it does. We’re just now starting to scientifically distinguish heroism from these other concepts and zero in on what makes a hero”. These connect with my traits or images because heroes are individuals like you and me who find strengths to perpetuate and tolerate in antipathy for eye-opening challenges. Zimbardo discusses that heroes go beyond and above people who have a normal day-to-day basis, and this is true because heroes stand out in the crowd as the one who is going to make a difference. Overall, no one was born with the precious values of a hero whether it is bad or good, it's all about what a person has received around him or her. For example, a hero does not come out of the womb and is automatically a hero. A hero can be molded to be a great leader. But it is not until someone grows mentally and physically into that, they would actually become a hero. Heroes can be made if they develop the traits. Sacrifice is the forfeiture of something that is highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim. Heroic leaders have the determination to achieve goals despite challenges. They display confidence when under stress and are courageous enough to take risks while others are looking to hide themselves because of fear and doubt. Heroic leaders are already passionate about their work. Leadership is the integration of external actions and internal ethics. Heroic leaders are trusted by their followers because they never change from their foundation (inner values), even when it might be difficult. Heroic leaders are always honest with everyone around them; they tell the truth and possess little tolerance for telling people what they want to hear. These are some of the traits or qualities that can create a hero for them to be made.

A hero can be anyone we look up to. They can be real or fictional, they can be someone we see every day or have met once in our life, they can be male or female, children or grown-ups. When we were young, our heroes were Superman, Batman, Spiderman, League of Superheroes, etc. Then our heroes became our moms, dads, grandparents, sisters and brothers, and even our pets. As we become older and more experienced, our perceptions of heroism change. There are many more manifestations of heroism around us than we think and know. To notice this, you just need to look at your parents, neighbors, colleagues, friends, etc. You will find that they are wonderful people who make sacrifices for others, use their courage to cope with the absinthe realities of modern life, who do not lose their humanity when faced with difficulties, and are always ready to help if you need it. Sometimes we don't even know about the great deeds of all these people, because heroes don't like to share their stories, but they will help if called upon. True heroism is not in something supernatural, but in the simplest, but such important things.