The Warrior Ethos and the Hero: Why the Military Should Re-Examine Its Study of the Heroic

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.