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Chapter 1 - Cases and Distinctions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  aN Invalid Date NaN

Kyle Fruh
Affiliation:
Duke Kunshan University, China
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Summary

This chapter begins by introducing a collection of cases culled from relevant academic sources. These include rescuers in the Holocaust of WWII, towering figures of great renown, like Mahatma Gandhi, and cases from the run of day-to-day life, such as that of Heather Zabrowski, a Carnegie Medal recipient, who pulled a man from a burning vehicle on the side of the road, as well as whistleblowers and relatively unheralded others who have dedicated their lives to moral causes. I use these cases to draw a few distinctions that clarify the target phenomenon of moral heroism. First, I distinguish moral heroism from other kinds of heroism. I note different possible domains in which heroism might unfold, as well as distinguishing between heroism as a relational status (being someone’s hero) and heroism as a non-relational property (being heroic). These distinctions contribute to the wider literature on heroism, in addition to being necessary for the present project. Second, I distinguish moral heroism from other kinds of moral exemplarity, focusing on ordinary altruism and saintliness. I suggest that the difference between altruists and moral heroes is one of degree, while the difference between saints and moral heroes is more likely a difference in kind.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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  • Cases and Distinctions
  • Kyle Fruh, Duke Kunshan University, China
  • Book: Moral Heroism without Virtue
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009571487.002
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  • Cases and Distinctions
  • Kyle Fruh, Duke Kunshan University, China
  • Book: Moral Heroism without Virtue
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009571487.002
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

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  • Cases and Distinctions
  • Kyle Fruh, Duke Kunshan University, China
  • Book: Moral Heroism without Virtue
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009571487.002
Available formats
×