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By Kevin Casey
–Jeph Loeb and Tom Morris, Heroes and Superheroes (the source of these notes)
I. Heroes and Superheroes
A. Defining a Hero and a Superhero
1. Superheroes have powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary mortals.
a. Characterized by pursuing justice and defending the defenseless.
b. Overcome evil with force of good.
2. Does the more super a person might be make them less heroic?
a. Individual would have less to risk of himself in fighting evil or helping someone else.
b. Hero is usually defined, by modern standards, as one who had a lot to lose in doing actions.
c. This idea implies that Super + Hero = Oxymoron.
3. To be true superhero then, the person must have weaknesses along with their strengths and a truly noble force guiding them. (i.e., Superman- kryptonite; Spiderman- the sense of responsibility)
4. It is easy to allow ourselves to look down on heroes–they make us look unconcerned with evils around us that we are not fighting. (i.e., J. Jonah Jamison, editor-in-chief of Dailey Bugle, who always looks for an evil ulterior motive in Spiderman)
a. Take for granted and then begin to resent for their never-ending efforts.
b. Form of jealousy; do not want to admit what we should be doing.
5. Hero by itself can mean anyone who stands for the good and the right, especially against forces trying to defeat their efforts for good. (i.e. ICU nurse, volunteer fireman, or SLUH junior theology teacher)
B. How to Be a Hero
1. Must realize that the goal trying to be attained must be achieved through real, personal sacrifices. (i.e. Batman will not allow himself to enter into a relationship)
a. Self-discipline needed: Power without this virtue is wasted or dangerous.
b. No real fulfillment if no self-giving element in act.
2. Heroes can be views as Normative Concepts: not only characterizes what is, but shows us what should be.
3. Stories of superheroes depict a strong moral force–people are naturally attracted to this ideal goodness.
C. Fear and the Superhero Stories
1. Heroes show power of character and courage over that of adversity.
a. Everyone fears harm, but nothing worth doing is easy.
b. Fears of what one may have to do to stand up to the evil in the world.
2. When put in threatening situation, fear of not knowing where to draw the line. (i.e. Spiderman kills the man he thinks shot his Uncle Ben)
a. More humans, as habitual creatures, resort to violence (for whatever reason), more it comes easier for them to carry out.
b. What would be considered becomes necessary. What was just necessary becomes acceptable.
c. If one uses violence to defeat evil, will he have actually allowed evil to enter into his character, his soul?
3. Superheroes are able to fight evil without becoming evil.
D. The Example of the Superhero
1. Superheroes give example of what the true human “way” should be.
a. Do not do what they do because it’s popular; do what they do because it’s right. (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Gandhi)
b. All should be concerned of world outside of themselves.
2. Everyone gifted in some way with talents or powers.
a. Superhero mindset: not allow what is low and inferior to interfere with our development and use of our gifts.
The philosopher Seneca wrote: "Choose for yourself a moral hero whose life, conversations, and expressive face all please you, then picture him to yourself at all times as your protector, and as your ethical pattern…Then live as if he were watching you, and order all your actions as if he saw them."
