Zimbardo's Essay: What Makes A Hero?

Heroes willfully put their own life in the place of someone else’s. In other words, a hero risks their life for another person because they wish to benefit the society they live in. This creates a more superior society for the

A hero is defined as someone who in the face of danger steps up and puts others needs before theirs, expecting no reward in return. In the article “What Makes a Hero?” by Phillip Zimbardo, the author expresses that everyone has the ability to help others, whether it is a small deed like leading a guiding hand to someone who needs it, or it can be as intense as pulling someone out of a burning car. The writer attempts to emphasize the importance of doing the right thing by stating,  “Few people do evil and fewer act heroically.” (Zimbardo). In addition, heroes act not for the fame or the money, but for their own satisfaction. Knowing they helped save a life is all the reward they could ever want. “The key to heroism is a concern for other people

~ In the article “What is a Hero”  paragraph 4-5 the author states that a what makes a hero is “A heroic act is one performed with recognition of possible risk and cost, be they  to one's physical health or personal reputation, in which the actor is willing to accept anticipated sacrifice. The key to heroism is a concern for other people I need your concern to the find a moral cost knowing there is a personal risk done without expectation of reward.” Basically a hero is someone who helps others not because he is asked or he will receive  a reward but someone who does it to be kind.

“A hero is no braver than an ordinary man,but he is brave five minutes longer”.(Ralph waldo Emerson)Some people might think being a hero is all about flying,super strength,and just having special abilities,when it really isn't. Being a hero is all about helping people when being bullied or standing up for your rights and having bravery in your mind and courage. Hero’s take risk, they aren't cowards,and they show lots of bravery. Heros put other people's feelings into to their shoes and show their empathy towards they.They don't let the go through things alone.

Heroes are not in it for themselves, they are guided by what they think is right. To be a hero, one needs to be selfless, courageous and strong. They need selflessness to be humble and put others needs before their own. These qualities truly show the real heroes in both literature and in today’s world.

A hero, as defined in Webster’s Online Dictionary, is a person who “a person admired for achievements or noble qualities” or “one who shows great courage.” However, a hero is not just a person with outstanding achievements. A hero is a person who is philanthropic, generous, and kind. Heros fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and do not judge those who they are fighting for. They are charitable in ways other than donating money, they give their time and effort in order to make the lives of others more pleasant. Heros display bravery, as they are willing to go into a dangerous situation to help others that have been aggrieved. Social pressures and judgements do not affect a hero’s willingness to help others, and they are willing to push through what others say

Being a hero is something everyone is capable of with bravery and intelligence. You don’t have to be a Greek God to be a hero, you can be a simple, average person living in a regular town. Heroism is not your social status and ruling the land, it is the qualities you possess and how you use them. Both the short story “The Hero’s Test” by Alisoun Witting and the short story “The Red-Headed League” by Arthur Conan Doyle shows heroism and how anyone can be a hero.

A hero’s faith in others is never a weakness, even if others exploit it. Good and evil aren’t the forces at play here, this is the battle of order and chaos. A hero stands for order and always follows rules. A villain can thrive in chaos and cares only for himself. In a way, the modern day notion of a hero can be connected back to humanity’s beginning. A wild being cares only for itself, an important survival tactic now embodied by villains. Heroism was born when humans banded together, allowing others power over them for the strength of the whole. They trusted each other and became stronger because of it. Humanity is the birth of order from the chaotic wilderness, and heroism is the glue that keeps it

What is heroism? What is a hero? Does a hero have to have rippling muscles and superpowers? Is a nurse as much of a hero as a firefighter? Merriam-Webster defines a hero as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities”.

A hero is someone who is selfless and is courageous. They also are usually an ordinary person who later does something very heroic and great. They also don’t act like self centered when they get recognized for it. In the editorial “What is a Hero” by Art Green, he shares a story about a man who almost died saving others in battle. In this he says, “ In this case, Benavidez says that it was not he that was the hero; it was the faceless men who paid the ultimate sacrifice.” This evidence shows that Benavidez and heroes don’t “bask in the glory” and this impacts him because he knows that people died for their country and he also did two so he can’t take all the credit for saving the men. Roger Rosenblatt, author of the editorial “Man in the water”

Oliver Stone once wrote, who he saw his heroes as“ Sciences who spend years of their lives trying to find cures...The inner-city kid who works at McDonald’s instead of selling drugs. The kid who stands alone instead of joining a gang, which would give him instant identity...People who take risks despite fears. People in wheelchairs who don't give up…”. (SB, pg.64) Heroes are people who choose the right no matter the situation. Making sacrifices for others benefit, being determined to rise over challenges, and not being perfect instead making mistakes are just some of the traits that make a hero.

What is heroism? Is it a knight in shining armor? A man that has a tragic past and has now stumbled upon powers? Or perhaps the guy who was able to save the whole earth from total destruction? As Arthur Ashe once said, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” Heroism is always being willing to help others and disregarding their safety for the safety of others, but heroes are not always the main guy who does gigantic actions.

A perfect example that would correlate directly with this notion of heroicness would be Phillip Bullard, a 13-year-old boy, living in the town of Biloxi. Bullard, was much younger then Zeitoun, but possessed the same courageousness and caring as him, when acting at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now, just like Zeitoun's circumstances, Bullard also had certain obstacles to make matters even tougher for him. First off, his mother, grandmother, and his brother couldn't swim, so naturally Bullard knew that he needed to take quick action in order to help save them. On top of that, the last of his family members were a young infant, who would surely not be able to be directed to safety on its own. Now, after taking a quick moment to scout out the seemingly impossible odds of this situation, Bullard instilled sheer confidence that was unlike anything he'd even imagined he had the potential to unleash, and that was "pure heroism unlike anything you'd see in a 13 year old boy his age"(Carnes 74). This confidence that Bullard had instilled in him, was of the same heroicness and resilience that Zeitoun had shown when he was trying that save the old woman from drowning. Bullard didn’t show any sign of giving up, regardless of how the odds were stacked against him. Instead, he rose up to the challenge, and used his intelligence in order to figure out the

In the end, looking back at people we consider to be 'heroes' in our world, we understand they cannot live up to impossible standards of perfection and satisfy everyone. But it is their true compassion for others at heart, and their positive influence in the world, despite the challenges facing them that makes one heroic.

Heroes are people who sacrifice for others in need. Zimbardo uses this trait as one of the defining characteristics of heroism, explaining “a heroic act is one performed with recognition of possible risks and costs,