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Scott Latarge Heroes

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Breaking Down the Importance of Heroes

Scott LaBarge's "Heroism: Why Heroes Are Important," was published on August 25, 2013, originally on the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University's website. He utilizes anecdote, logos, and pathos to explain "the critical moral contribution of heroes in the expansion of our sense of possibility." LaBarge writes this essay to persuade "teachers" and convince them to tell their students "what a difference people of courage and nobility and genius have made to the world."

LaBarge starts the creation of his essay with a personal anecdote analyzing "living deliberately" and why Henry David Thoreau became one of his "dearest heroes." Beginning the essay with such a personal reflection allows the reader to connect with him more. This personal anecdote begins LaBarge's point about heroes and why they are important. Scott LaBarge addresses a warning that Thoreau gave all philosophers and continues the quote with a humored prediction of his philosopher's response: "If – horrible thought – I should fail to earn tenure here, I would largely blame that damned quotation." This anecdote adds more personal feel to LaBarge's essay. …show more content…

From the description of heroes to those who one may choose as their hero. Hero, to Greeks, were "great benefactors of humankind" as well as those "who had committed unthinkable crimes." However, today "we only call heroes those whom we admire and wish to emulate." Without attempting to create a contrast, LaBarge takes the time to describe a few "heroes" and their reasons for being considered heroes. This allows the readers to compare whom people would classify as a hero today, to whom people would classify as a hero in 800 B.C. and 500

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