What is heroism?
Jan 10, 2017 04:20:53 #
I am something of a Civil War buff so when I think of heroism, I think of Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. 12,500 men advanced uphill for over 3/4 of a mile under heavy musket and artillery fire, marching in ranks until they were a few hundred yards from the Yanks. Unimaginable. "Marching in ranks" under a well-placed and entrenched enemy. Friends and comrades left and right losing arms, legs, and heads to the fire. And steadily marching on. Not sure I would not have broken ranks and fled. How does a man, or anyone, do such an outrageous thing?
My question: what was in the individual hearts of those 12,50 men? Country? Family? Glory? Adventure? Invulnerability? Hate? Revenge? Duty? Acceptance? Or a few hundred other possible motives. We will never know, of course, yet the question of what is a true hero remains important. I see profound love as the only true root of heroism. For the guy next to you or country or family or eternal ideals. Survival, self, is less than that perceived good.
My question: what was in the individual hearts of those 12,50 men? Country? Family? Glory? Adventure? Invulnerability? Hate? Revenge? Duty? Acceptance? Or a few hundred other possible motives. We will never know, of course, yet the question of what is a true hero remains important. I see profound love as the only true root of heroism. For the guy next to you or country or family or eternal ideals. Survival, self, is less than that perceived good.
Jan 10, 2017 05:50:23 #
humanator wrote:
I am something of a Civil War buff so when I think... (show quote)
I responded to your questions & then hit a wrong button...let's try that again...You are right there are many answers to why men have the self discipline to "hold ranks" in such a battle. I don't know all the possibilities, but one word comes to mind...PATRIOTISM...There are many answers, but I'm sure that in all the somewhat senseless wars we've had in the world since the Civil War, there have been many heroes & I think that one word PATRIOTISM probably holds true...Good questions "newbie" & welcome aboard!
Jan 10, 2017 06:28:20 #
CowboyMilt wrote:
I responded to your questions & then hit a wro... (show quote)
I will agree, yet it is, I think, in smaller details than upholding the Republic, that sort of patriotism, though underneath that may be there in these things. It is the guy to your right and left, friends and comrades. It is your son or daughter riding their bikes care-free on a brisk autumn day. It is your wife pruning the garden with that peaceful smile on her face in late summer. It is shopping in filled supermarkets at Christmas. It is knowing way down deep that where you live and belong is good and decent. This is not directly the thought of the guy who may fall on a grenade, but American ideals gets into your bones and muscles: any sacrifice for it is noble and just. Liberty! Equality! Law! These things imprint themselves in our souls. Americans are just different because of them. It is in our DNA. It makes us exceptional.
Jan 10, 2017 07:06:21 #
Jan 11, 2017 02:56:20 #
Nutter wrote:
It is not just an American thing it's the DNA in a REAL Man!
That may be true.
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