The Warrior Ethos and the Hero

<p>The purpose of this paper is to answer the research question: How should we honor and study our heroes? I conclude we should recognize and study our heroes in light of all the classical virtues and not simply because of the outcomes of their actions. In Section I Virtue Ethics Warrior Codes and Heroes I analyze the relationship between the classical virtues the military's current warrior-codes and our heroes. I review the virtue ethics of Plato and Aristotle and the modern day scholarship of Malham Wakin and Shannon French. I show how our core values emerged from the classical virtues and I propose that our culture should celebrate its military heroes because of the way they bring these virtues to life. In Section II The Courageous Hero I examine the virtue of courage as Plato and Aristotle define it. I explore stories of military history and biography and I reveal how our courageous heroes were able to display courage in the face of daunting odds. I conclude that our heroes who demonstrate courage were able to do so for many reasons: belief in the cause belief in the values of honor and duty and often most importantly belief in the warriors who fought beside them. In Section III The Thoughtful Hero I look at the idea of the heroic leader. I analyze the intellectual virtues of wisdom and prudence and I examine the stories of heroic leaders (both historical and fictional) who relied on these virtues. I conclude our thoughtful heroes are wise and prudent not simply because they are effective but because they seek to act in accordance with all the virtues. In Section IV Some Problems with Making Heroes I explore some complications with creating heroes such as what happens when heroes become part of a larger public relations campaign or when the actions of our heroic leaders are questioned on moral grounds. In my conclusion I suggest ways we can honor and study our heroes.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>