i was just thinking about the general idea of heroism

is selflessness important to heroism or does it ruin it? lets say someone wants to have a statue made of him because he did a good deed? or to take superheroes as an example, look at iron man and superman for example. superman is like the goody-goody, I-am-so-pure classic hero, acts all selfless but also wears a suit that in no way people could forget. then you got Iron man who wants fame, who is a total self-centered egomaniac but when it matters will risk his life to save lives. maybe ironman IS the real hero, maybe he projects this image of imperfection and and moral flaw because really he is too humble to even assume by his attitude that he is morally perfect. while superman is just trying so hard to be recognized as selfless and pure that it might hide a gigantic ego. like people in moments of tragedy who say : "i will send prayers for you" like really ??? you have to apropriate yourself this tragic moment to be the hero of the story. to me "I'll send a prayer" means " i want to be recognized as a good person but I wont actually do anything for it". they pray for starving people but never actually go out and feed people. the real superhero for me would dress different every time, do good needs, and never actually talk about it and no one would even know that all these good deeds are from the same person. what do you think ?

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xixgun · M

I think you're reading too much into fictional characters

reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M

@xixgun no, actually fictional characters, especially super-heroes, are like personifications of Jungian archetypes, like a look into our collective unconscious to see the shapes of our values in a easy-to-visualize, personified form, a bit like Hindu gods but easier to understand.

xixgun · M

@reflectingmonkey Well, Batman, who is selfless; continually berates Superman, referring to him as a “Boy Scout”.

Batman’s only interest is justice. He is unconcerned with fame or statues or accolades. If anything, he would rather be feared than admired.

reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M

@xixgun that's an interesting example, its true , maybe batman is the real concept of the real-life hero. like ironman his suit is more for actual practical reasons but he has no clame to fame whatsoever. he did create this character of Batman and spread the myth around but ,like you mentioned, more in the form of a fear and in a way it has, again , nothing to do with him but with making his fight more efficient and more peaceful ( fear can actually help to avoid violent conflicts sometimes).