Heroes in General
When asking someone who their hero is everyone expects an answer along the lines of someone famous/powerful who did or is doing something progressive for the human race. These answers can range from parents or other family members, to local law enforcement and other government workers, to super-heroes or other people considered to have some sort of "super-human" power. No matter what the case, everyone has a hero.
Why do people create heroes for themselves? What should it matter that people have or do not have heroes? Is it possible for someone to have no hero? These are all potential questions that could arise in a discussion about heroes and heroism. First off, people need heroes because they need something to aspire to. Even if someone aspires to continue their life as happily as they can manage, with a decent job, and a loving family, they still have a hero. That this person's hero could possibly be Mrs. Cleaver is a fact that earns no discussion. Secondly, having a hero is the equivalent of having a friend. It is important because not having one leads people to a form of depression, which stems from lonliness, or having no direction in life. Finally, it is not possible for someone to be without a hero. Many people respond to the initial question with something along the lines of "I have no hero." While they may believe this is true it is not. Unless that person is on their deathbed, and has lived through every possible event in their life in a much better fashion than they believe anyone else could have, everyone has a hero.
How can this be true? Why is it a requirement to have a hero? Because a hero is the epitome of what everyone sees themselves becoming. Or what they imagine, deep down inside, they are. For instance, someone with Superman as a hero could potentially see themselves becoming a person of much renown who is always looking out for the welfare of others. Or they could believe they are a person that runs around in red and blue pajamas leaping tall buildings and stopping silver bullets, with only one weakness. But the only people inclined to the latter thought process generally are between the ages of 7 years and 4 years old.
Now does all this mean that people cannot have unconventional heroes? Not necessarily. For instance, some people have Hitler as a hero. Not because they see themselves eventually becoming megalomaniacs (someone who aspires to rule the world - think Pinky and the Brain) with a soul patch over their top lip, but because they consider themselves to be an outstanding strategist, an exceptional leader, and a marvelous speaker. This is a constructive personality to possess. Sure, there are other, more conventional people that could be advised as role models for these people to pursue, but Hitler was extremely good at what he did. Now, if this person wanted to say that they had Saddam Hussein as a hero, for these same reasons, that person would probably be laughed at, if not just a little mistrusted.
This being said, is it possible for someone to have a hero who is someone "less" than they are? Yes. It is completely possible. Take, for instance, Ghandi. Now, on many levels, this man was "greater" than most people alive today. But what about physically? He was a very small man. So what's to say a championship weight-lifter cannot aspire to be more like Ghandi? Nothing. To say so would be complete naivety in the speaker.
There are three things people have every right to pick and choose in life: the styles of music they like, the person they love, and their heroes. Because someone says their hero is Osama Bin Laden is not a reason to hate that person. Delve into the reasoning. If the persons reasons all hold out with advancement of human-life and general well-being, that person has every right to admire Bin Laden. We should not frown on one persons choice of hero just because we don't like that person.
Why do people create heroes for themselves? What should it matter that people have or do not have heroes? Is it possible for someone to have no hero? These are all potential questions that could arise in a discussion about heroes and heroism. First off, people need heroes because they need something to aspire to. Even if someone aspires to continue their life as happily as they can manage, with a decent job, and a loving family, they still have a hero. That this person's hero could possibly be Mrs. Cleaver is a fact that earns no discussion. Secondly, having a hero is the equivalent of having a friend. It is important because not having one leads people to a form of depression, which stems from lonliness, or having no direction in life. Finally, it is not possible for someone to be without a hero. Many people respond to the initial question with something along the lines of "I have no hero." While they may believe this is true it is not. Unless that person is on their deathbed, and has lived through every possible event in their life in a much better fashion than they believe anyone else could have, everyone has a hero.
How can this be true? Why is it a requirement to have a hero? Because a hero is the epitome of what everyone sees themselves becoming. Or what they imagine, deep down inside, they are. For instance, someone with Superman as a hero could potentially see themselves becoming a person of much renown who is always looking out for the welfare of others. Or they could believe they are a person that runs around in red and blue pajamas leaping tall buildings and stopping silver bullets, with only one weakness. But the only people inclined to the latter thought process generally are between the ages of 7 years and 4 years old.
Now does all this mean that people cannot have unconventional heroes? Not necessarily. For instance, some people have Hitler as a hero. Not because they see themselves eventually becoming megalomaniacs (someone who aspires to rule the world - think Pinky and the Brain) with a soul patch over their top lip, but because they consider themselves to be an outstanding strategist, an exceptional leader, and a marvelous speaker. This is a constructive personality to possess. Sure, there are other, more conventional people that could be advised as role models for these people to pursue, but Hitler was extremely good at what he did. Now, if this person wanted to say that they had Saddam Hussein as a hero, for these same reasons, that person would probably be laughed at, if not just a little mistrusted.
This being said, is it possible for someone to have a hero who is someone "less" than they are? Yes. It is completely possible. Take, for instance, Ghandi. Now, on many levels, this man was "greater" than most people alive today. But what about physically? He was a very small man. So what's to say a championship weight-lifter cannot aspire to be more like Ghandi? Nothing. To say so would be complete naivety in the speaker.
There are three things people have every right to pick and choose in life: the styles of music they like, the person they love, and their heroes. Because someone says their hero is Osama Bin Laden is not a reason to hate that person. Delve into the reasoning. If the persons reasons all hold out with advancement of human-life and general well-being, that person has every right to admire Bin Laden. We should not frown on one persons choice of hero just because we don't like that person.
posted by Iidhaegn at 1:27 PM
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