Markkula Center of Applied Ethics

Heroism: On Whose Shoulders Should We Stand?

The Challenge

Heroes are the often larger-than-life symbols of a society's values. Whether a society's heroes are martyrs or rock
stars, soldiers or scientists, has an impact on the ideals
that culture will pursue.

What's at Stake

Only half of America's teenagers could name a personal hero in a poll conducted by the Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Of those who could, more than half named an athlete, movie star, or musician. On the other side of the world, Intifada trading cards, Osama bin Laden T-shirts, and cigarette lighters that blow up an image of the World Trade Center suggest what some young Muslims are being encouraged to view as heroism. Heroes matter. Their deeds exemplify the virtues a society holds up for emulation. At the same time, heroes are people. Not every one of their characteristics is worthy of imitation. The demand that our heroes be morally perfect can also deprive us of realistic role models and effective leadership.

Critical Questions

  • Different choices of heroes reflect different sorts of excellence to which we aspire. Athletes reflect one sort of excellence, movie stars another, and social reformers another still. To what sorts of excellence do we most want our citizens to aspire, and what heroes would reflect those sorts of excellence? How can we help shape our community's aspirations toward excellence?
  • Can we have an effect-and should we-on how other cultures define heroism?
  • David Cameron, a candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party in England, faced challenges recently based on allegations of youthful drug use, to which he replied, "I did lots of things before I came into politics I shouldn't have done. We all did." What sorts of behaviors disqualify people from becoming heroes or role models? Is there a statute of limitations?

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The views expressed on this site are the author's. The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics does not advocate particular positions but seeks to encourage dialogue on the ethical dimensions of current issues. The Center welcomes comments and alternative points of view.
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