What is a "Hero"

I don't have anything against heroes. But by definition, a hero is someone who is fearless and willing to put his life on the line, which is not always regarded as a good thing. By that definition, if a hero is willing to put his life on the line, you cannot expect him to behave like a normal person. He is very likely to be controversial and not abide by the rules of law. There is no such thing as a political correct hero.

There are definite differences between what a celbrity is and what a hero is. A celebrity is someone who does something for the fame and glory of it all. A hero is someone who does something because it was the right thing to do.

Great discussion and excellent question, Ted. Here you are, back to making me think...lol! For one thing, I think "hero" is one of those words that's been overused so that when it's really fitting it may lose some of its meaning. You're right, 9/11 opened some eyes but there are still people, especially the very young, who look at sports figures and movie stars as heroes. Some may be but for reasons that have nothing to do with their actions on the playing field, court, track or whatever or the characters they play on the big or small screen but most are far from heroic. You're sure right that there are true heroes that also do some despicable things. I think we have to always try to remember that everyone is human and that no matter what someone has done it doesn't cancel out everything else he or she has done. That goes for both the very good and the very bad someone may have done. If someone fought in a war or rescued a bunch of people in fires, that doesn't mean they should get a pass if they turn around and do something terrible! There will always be "fallen heroes" but it's also true that some of them can redeem themselves. Annie

Heroes are not perfect. I would be disappointed if a hero was a bad person but everyone has some good in them. I do think the word "hero" has been trivialized. Just the other day a woman stopped on the freeway and came to the aid of a patrolman who was struggling with a man who was trying to kill him. Is she a hero? (more precisely, heroine!) To me, no. She did her civic duty and I expect people to behave that way. Sports figures are not heroes, either. To me, a hero is someone who puts their own life on the line in the interest of their country--cops, the military, firemen, etc.

They maybe the the hero for other but on their own family they owed child support?And abuse it's own family.I don't think they consider a hero for that.Being hero, is to save first other rather themselves.And willing to put their life in danger and help other.If they just choose whom to help and not even in their family they can't be a hero.Well, they are not real hero.