Wk 4 Disc
As in real life heroes in the Stanford Prison Experiment were few. Whether they were the guards,
prisoners, guests or experimenters few could deviate from the prison norms and social situation
and take a stand. Discuss the concept of heroism. What does it take to become a hero? How do
you educate, train, program, someone to become a hero?
I attended the in-person class last Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
To me, a hero is someone who, despite the (potential) risks involved, does good deeds, selfless
acts, and helps others in need while other bystanders do nothing, or avoid getting involved.
It is
doing something voluntarily, from the heart, and does not expect anything in return.
No one is
born destined to be a hero.
Being a hero is a product of how an individual is raised – his/her
family culture, values, and the environment he/she grew up in.
And more often than not, heroes
are ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances – right place and right time.
As the class has discussed, anyone can be a hero.
You do not need to be part of a special group
or have special powers and/or abilities.
We all have the ability to do heroic things.
We can
inspire, encourage, and/or influence someone to become an everyday hero, become a model for
others, especially children, to emulate.
A simple act of helping an older person cross the street,
carrying their bags or even opening doors for others can constitute a heroic act.
Others even
become first responders, teachers, and helpers and even join the military, working long and
unpredictable hours, because they want to be able to help others.
To them, this is their way of
paying it forward and giving back to the community.
Another topic that was discussed was how altruism, the unselfish desire to help others, and
heroism go hand-in-hand.
Both show concern for others without expecting anything in return,
both are acts of genuine goodness and kindness of people.
