What Defines a Hero?
“The word hero is used far too freely,” says Angie Hobbs, PhD, professor of philosophy at the University of Warwick in England. “All sorts of athletes are called heroes, and then two weeks later they’re not. “Heroism is doing something of outstanding benefit to one’s society that most would find impossible to perform, and some athletes do meet that criteria,” says Hobbs, who is researching a book on heroism, courage, fame, and the role of sports in creating heroes. Throughout history, Hobbs says heroes emerged from war and gained their title of hero by sacrificing themselves or risking their lives to save others. But sports allow heroes to emerge in times of peace. However, in order to be truly heroic, she says athletes have to do more than just show physical prowess on the playing field. “Only if you have those two components together — that your society thinks you’re doing something of outstanding benefit, plus what you’re doing is something most people couldn’t offer either through
