by Mark Waybill

Created on: February 02, 2010

When we are kids watching a superhero cartoon or reading a comic starring our favorite hero we do not usually question what a hero is. A hero to us is somebody who fights evil, does good, looks cool and gets to have fun adventures. Of course once we grow up we begin to question the definition of things. But one thing always remains within any definition of a hero, that that person is doing good, and is a good person. Heroes are good, villains are bad. This is one thing that does not change much in definitions.

However to attempt to define heroes and heroism it is best to be unbiased, and having the preconception that heroes do good and thus heroism is always good is a bias. Thus it is best to begin by examining just what a hero does, which will help to define both heroes and heroism. A hero will usually think they are doing good and that they are good because of this. There are not many who think they are doing evil. Thus, whether or not a hero really is good and doing good, they will pretty much always believe that they are.

Also in most cases the citizens they protect will consider them good, if perhaps a tad rash and destructive in their methods of dealing with crime. So for most examples, they are perceived as good people by not only themselves but by others. There are some exceptions here though, and so this can not be part of the definition, but merely help in its creation.

Heroism more often than not involves going out of the heroes way to help people or creatures in need of assistance. Heroics usually require strength, both physically and mentally, to fight and outsmart the villainous elements. It requires courage as quite often the villains are dangerous, and the situations in which a hero finds him or herself are also dangerous. Thus heroism requires determination, strength, and other qualities. A hero begins to look like the cream of the human crop, the fines of the species.

But not all heroes are strong, have super powers, or are even that effective in fighting evil. Many, created to inspire people to do good and be good in everyday life rather than just when confronting mega villains bent on destroying the universe, also exist and are considered heroes. But despite their relative weakness, they still do their best.

So perhaps the best definition of heroism is doing ones best to do and be good, and to fight evil wherever and whenever possible. Most people are thus heroes, unless they are criminals by choice. However considering the fact none of us choose to exist and thus nobody can be blamed for what they do fairly, there is no such thing as good and evil. But as we live in a scientific universe, one in which utilitarian issues arise and are termed 'evil', and in which some people try to fight these issues and are termed 'good', there will always be the notion of heroism and of villainy.

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