Thread: -Heroism or feats of skill?-

Any chance of a link to this essay? It sounds interesting.

Yes, the essay, as you have explained seems to have proved its point... We are now at an era where illusions are highly possible and events or things are easily fabricated... That is probably the reason why people are quick to mistrust each other right away... It's because these times are deceiving... Still, many hoaxes are popping out and some deeds are made only for the sake of fame, fortune or both...

While Heroism sounds sweet to the ears, this is not really something so easily achieved... But, since people nowadays are also, in contrast, readily susceptible to "the (mysteries) of the unknown"... Unexplainable happenings which are probable illusions can be taken also as "an act both envied and admired"... Magicians, fortune tellers, escape artists, daredevils etc., they are all praised for their feats or work... The jobs of the latter occupations mentioned are indeed carefully calculated, no doubt... Fact is, we admire, think highly of and regard certain people as great because they can do something out of the ordinary whether fictional or true...

To pose an example: How many of you actually enjoy watching Ripley's Believe it or Not?

I myself admit that I prove to have interests in watching daring and unbelievable shows...

Just my two cents.
Heroism is an act of selflessness, and i see your point about Ripleys, those feats of skill are not selfless at all, they are done for attention or money.

I guess these days there aren't as many situations to show heroism. Heroism stems from conflict and oppression which isn't as common today. Heroism is shown more on a level where only the people involved would know about the hero. Heroism shouldn't be widely known anyway, the only people that should see somebody as a hero are the people closest to the hero, since heroism isn't done for self glory.

Originally Posted by Juice

Just my two cents.
Heroism is an act of selflessness, and i see your point about Ripleys, those feats of skill are not selfless at all, they are done for attention or money.

Yes, exactly... That is how society operates nowadays... It's sad really...

Originally Posted by Juice

Heroism stems from conflict and oppression which isn't as common today. Heroism is shown more on a level where only the people involved would know about the hero. Heroism shouldn't be widely known anyway, the only people that should see somebody as a hero are the people closest to the hero, since heroism isn't done for self glory.

Heroism, very well-defined... A point well taken and words well said... Indeed, heroism is seldom acknowledged by many who don't see, but only those who do, actually realize how great the hero's self-sacrifice is... Heroism isn't done for self glory, true; but the same thing, unfortunately, cannot be said at present...

Very intriguing assertions you guys. You seem to assert that a Hero is merely a means to and ends and not a product of functionality, but merely a self-serving mechanism, even one that may be sophistic in nature. It does pain me to see such pejorative conceptions of Heroism, but I suppose that is what the world has been reduced to, merely, a strife of opposites and conflicting ideas....

If you ask me, I would say that heroism doesn't always have to be a self sacrifice. Sure there are heros of war, but I often think we forget that there can be heros in times of peace as well. There are people whom have shaped our lives today that were seen as heretics before, but now in this new age seen as heros. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was the character whom led to the desegregation of our schools, which was an action many wanted but none had the courage to bring it about. Heroism in my opinon, is defined as the act of self sacrifice or to bring about a revolution which leads to positive results.

Originally Posted by Juice

Heroism stems from conflict and oppression which isn't as common today.

Um, oppression is pretty common and so is conflict. All you have to do to see that is look at the world news.

I think there's plenty of heroes nowadays, but like many people said, you just don't hear about them. Heroism doesn't have to be big, it could be a simple thing, like giving up your seat on the bus to some old or pregnant person. Being a hero is about being brave and selfless, putting the wellbeing of others before you. I guess you could say there are different types of heroes.
For ex, those firefighters in 9/11 who went back into the towers while everyone else was leaving. Sure, you could say that they were doing their job, but to a certain extent, they could've just turned around and given up.

Hmm, I want to say more but can't exactly put it into words