This question is for ‘hero’ in all forms: realistic, fiction, superhero, comic book, anime, etc. Let’s say a person is flawed, or is very arrogant, or has a superiority complex, etc., but also does heroic things—like being a firefighter, doctor, wizard, superhero, whatever. Do you think that person is still a hero despite having negative personality traits?

  • Fyrnyx@kbin.melroy.org
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    2 hours ago

    No. Who you described at the end is what is called an Anti-Hero, who is someone who can do good things but they do them their own way which might not always be the right or correct way to solve a problem. Even if the problem was solved.

  • Lemvi@lemmy.sdf.org
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    4 hours ago

    No, it just means you are someone that helps others, even when you know that you won’t gain anything from that yourself.

  • Ilixtze@lemmy.ml
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    7 hours ago

    No. It just means he’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta be fresh from a fight.

  • DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works
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    7 hours ago

    fictional heroes can be perfect, real “heroes” are always flawed.

    Mahatma Gandhi supposedly did some weird thing where he is said to have slept naked with young girls, including his niece. 🧐

    I personally don’t idolize people, but rather commend them for their specific actions.

  • Zagam@piefed.social
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    9 hours ago

    A hero is only a hero from one perspective. There was a movie in '92 called Hero that sort of explores this a bit. It’s not a great movie, but it has a sort of scummy guy do something great and a sort of OK guy do something scummy.

  • boydster@sh.itjust.works
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    9 hours ago

    The theme song from Mighty Mouse gives the description of a hero that I subscribe to. A hero is someone who is there to save the day when someone really needs saving. Anyone can be a hero if they answer the call when fate provides them the need for one.

    Mister Trouble never hangs around
    When he hears this Mighty sound.
    "Here I come to save the day"
    That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way.
    
    Yes sir, when there is a wrong to right
    Mighty Mouse will join the fight.
    On the sea or on the land,
    He gets the situation well in hand
    
    So though we are in danger, we never despair
    Cause we know that where there's danger he is there!
    (He is there, on the land, on the sea, in the air!)
    
    We're not worrying at all
    We're just listening for his call
    “Here I come, to save the day!”
    That means that Mighty Mouse
    Is on the way!
    
    We're not worrying at all
    We're just listening for his call
    “Here I come, to save the day!”
    That means that Mighty Mouse
    Is on the way!
    
    source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/mightymouselyrics.html
    
    • Zagam@piefed.social
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      9 hours ago

      Dude. For some reason Underdog got mixed up with Mighty Mouse in my head and I could not figure out wtf you were on about. It took me a full minute to have this all click.

  • Jake Farm@sopuli.xyz
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    10 hours ago

    That will depend on your values and culture. In ancient greece, heroes were warriors that killed many or defeated impossible odds. Now it is usually about self sacrifice or saving many people. Some people see humble hard workers as heroes. Though that also has an element of self sacrifice.

  • Angelusz@lemmy.world
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    8 hours ago

    Perfect, like many things in life, is matter of perspective. You can have some traits that some may perceive as flaws and still be perfect. Just means your life is at least a tad more interesting.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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    10 hours ago

    Literally no one is perfect, just like if someone was truly average in every respect, they’d be the most unique person who ever lived.

  • Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
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    10 hours ago

    One great feat does not a hero make.

    Everybody has flaws and makes mistakes, but when the number of good deeds far outweighs the bad, you earn the title of hero.