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Heroism

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Submitted By rayiviond
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The most heroic action was from the old man in situation H. One reason why is because the man sacrificed not only a small portion of something, but his life. Although the old man was sick and aged, an offering like so portrays such heroism due to the sacrifice and (reason two) that the action was against his life. For example, if this man were sacrificing his hunger for others to let people eat, it would not be very heroic. Although, this old man is giving up his life for the others and putting the people over himself making this the most heroic action.
The least heroic action was with the rocket takeoff in situation B. One reason why is because there is nothing accomplished for others nor the school teacher it is about. When the rocket takes off there is hope of a heroic action becoming of itself, but only death comes. Another reason this is the least heroic situation is because the action that occurs to cause the death of this human (invitation to space shuttle) is not relevant nor meaningful to how a hero would perform.
Raymond chose F as the most heroic situation. He is wrong because this is just a basic scheme of saving others but real heroism comes from sacrifice (which does not occur here) and actual change from the situation accomplishment. With F, the man achieves and sacrifices little allowing for a large contrast in true heroism from situation H.
The basic definition of a heroic act is a courageous form of achievement through sacrifice. Two basic characteristics that must be present to make it heroic is (as I said) sacrifice and accomplishment. Without the success of a goal or the loss of a trait/object through this process, many situations aren't heroic because lots of traits are lacking . With an abundance of these, the more heroic that situation is, just like in Situation H.

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