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The modern perspective on heroism is tightly focused on those who act altruistically in a crisis. This focus is, of course, well-deserved. Those who put themselves in danger to help others, whether during natural disasters or in war zones, for example, are rightly praised for their actions.
We must not, however, let ourselves believe that heroism must always go hand-in-hand with the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life. Yes, death can be a potential byproduct of heroic action in dangerous situations. It’s an “occupational hazard” of crisis heroism.
But rarely does a crisis hero set out with the goal of dying during their service to others. They know that death is a possibility, but it isn’t a foregone conclusion. So, in addition to helping others, a primary goal of the hero is to survive as long as possible in order to save as many people as possible.
When someone is truly acting heroically, they aren’t thinking about heroism or sacrifice. They are taking altruistic action. It’s up to the rest of us, the outside observers, to give them the label of hero (whether or not the altruistic actor wishes to be labeled as such). And it is we, the observers, who often insist that heroism and sacrifice are inextricably linked.
It’s well past time we remembered that death in the line of heroism is incidental, not a prerequisite. While we’re at it, it’s also time we finally laid to rest the assumption that men are supposed to be willing sacrifices for all manner of reasons, or that they must strive for some unreachable and idealized concept of heroism.
Screw La Dulce Mori
In his poem “Dulce Et Decorum Est,” Wilfred Owen rejected the notion of the “noble sacrifice” for one’s country in the trenches of World War I. The poem’s title is a reference to the Latin statement “dulce et decorum est pro patria mori,” which can be translated as “it is sweet and proper to die for the fatherland.” The phrase comes from Horace, a Roman poet who lived from approximately 65 to 8 B.C.
As evidenced by Horace’s writings, among other texts throughout the ages, Western civilization has long glorified the idea of heroic sacrifice, what Wilfred Owen called “the old Lie.” It has been used very often as “divine propaganda” for groups ranging from medieval Christian Crusaders to modern Islamic extremists. If God Almighty has requested your death in battle, who are you to argue?
However, it has not been God asking men to make the ultimate sacrifice. It has been other men. This tendency to equate dangerous undertakings as a requirement of manhood still echoes today, to disastrous effect. Men are heavily socialized to seek occupations that involve high levels of risk.
It is also men who have long relegated women to the role of the “gentler sex” and insisted that men take on the burden of war and other risks. Men have convinced other men (usually of lower class or status) that women were incapable of meeting the demands of combat or dangerous jobs, and therefore must be protected at all costs.
This is not to say that some women have not been complicit in the view of men as “heroically disposable.” There were the infamous suffragettes who pinned white feathers on men they deemed as cowards during World War I. However, the white feather campaign was ultimately the brainchild of Vice-Admiral of the British Army Charles Fitzgerald.
Whoever is enforcing the antiquated idea of manly sacrifice, remember you don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way just because someone (or society at large) tells you to do so. Rather, let it be your own decision how you live your life and what risks you take. Also, don’t forget that heroism doesn’t only exist in traumatic moments.
Momentary Versus Everyday Heroism
Heroism can be more than an ephemeral, once-in-a-lifetime event. It is a cultivatable set of behaviors that can be put into action consciously. Indeed, heroism can be considered a philosophy of life. But to be more “scientific,” we can call it “heroism theory.”
As I mentioned, there is indeed the heroism that takes place during moments of crisis. At these times, genetic and social motivators can push people into altruistic action. We train first responders and military personnel to subsume their fear response through rigorous training because we need them to run toward danger on a routine basis. They face physical harm and must often confront the horrific results of injury.
But the altruism we are programmed with from birth as a species, as well as the heroic ideals we learn from society, can also be of use on a daily basis, without having to wait for crises. Heroism, whether during a traumatic event or the course of one’s everyday life, involves voluntary service to others without the expectation of recognition or reward.
Societies need people willing to help others on a regular basis. Acts such as helping a lost child find her parents, volunteering to feed the homeless, or breaking up a fight before someone gets hurt are all acts of heroism. The only difference is one of degree. Yes, these actions require us to give some amount of our time, effort, and even comfort to be of service to other human beings. But this is even more reason to decouple the concept of high-risk sacrifice from heroism. It doesn’t take much for us to serve others selflessly.
The Repeatable Choice of Heroic Action
From a practical perspective, it makes sense that heroes should strive to survive. Isn’t this why we provide first responders like firefighters and police officers with high levels of training? We need to make it as likely as possible that people willing to take heroic action can stick around for as long as possible!
Just like first responders, we need everyday heroes to be able to repeat their service, over and over again. This is why the hero’s journey is a circle. A hero in the mythic tradition does not stop after one quest! They can be called upon multiple times in life to step up and take altruistic action.
Guys, remember that heroism should be a voluntary choice, not a compulsory expectation. We don’t need to wait for traumatic events to step out of our everyday routines and provide support for others. And your service to the world doesn’t have to come only in life-or-death situations.
You are not disposable, and you don’t need to do anything that will put you harm’s way unless you decide you are up to the challenge. By all means, cultivate a habit of heroic altruism that enables you to break from the norm and help others when no one else will. Just remember that heroism can also be found in the most mundane of moments. And be aware of the consequences and the risks of your actions. Picking your battles doesn’t mean you’re a coward.
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