Live as a coward or die as a hero?

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Grotto19
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Grotto19 »

Trinity wrote:Thank you for the civil discussion which ignored my post.

You guys and gals, apparently, from my point of view, don't have a clue.

Thanks.
What is it you have said that was ignored? I looked for it and see nothing that was not answered. If you are quite certain of what you want answered say so, though the answers you receive may not be ones you like.
Xris
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Xris »

Trinity wrote: (Nested quote removed.)


Apologize for the very late reply. With the exception of facing personal demons, your answer is very close to my own.

The fearless and unafraid, IMHO, are not "given" heroes. The fearless and unafraid might be worthy of admiration and esteem, and especially wonder, but IMHO, the hero is the person who is fearful and afraid and does the deed despite his/her being fearful and afraid.

AND, IMHO, cowards at one moment in their lives might well become heroes in some other moment. Seen it. At some level and degree, from elementary school to applying for social security, might have been both.
Trinity I apologise if you required me to simply agree with you.I had no objections to your post and nothing really to add.xris
Namthebabe
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Namthebabe »

People who are cowards never grow.
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HIHIHIHIHI
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by HIHIHIHIHI »

We are all cowards and heros; some more than others, perpetuating in the vacuum of space.
If you say you know me, then you do not know me.

If you think you know me, then you probably know me.
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Narin
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Narin »

I will reply to what your wrote shortly..
boagie
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by boagie »

"Willowtreeme, I do agree that most persons can be influenced by a culture that prescribes certain behaviors, such as sacrificing one'sown life to save a child's life. I am a mother too, and I would give anything I have including my life to save my sons.

However, it is taken to be historical fact that during prolonged periods of famine , not only does ordinary social morality disappear, cannibalism appears and mothers eat their own children.This is a good strategy for survival of the group because a child cannot survive without a parent and mothers are valuable to the group as they can get the population viable again." quote


Belinda,

Where did you say your sons are living today, why I thought I saw one of them over at the old mill dam the other day---is that possible? could it be? He was looking rather plump, mostly white meat I believe, and he had mother tattooed on his chest---wonderful with fresh fava beans!! No offense intended just a little humor--ask the boys to give me a call won't you-------lol!!
Nothing in the world in and of itself has meaning, but only in relation to a biological subject. Boagie
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Newme
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Newme »

Scott wrote:What do you think? Is it better to live as a coward or die as a hero?
Hi Scott,

I know this is philosophy and we're supposed to prioritize thinking over emoting, but when it comes to quick action, our emotions tend to rule. One's emotional intelligence and fitness at the time would determine the decision. I think, as you suggested, that it depends on the cause - but I'd rather live and die with courage than live and die with paralyzing fear.

As it is, it seems that many "live quite lives of desperation," which may be why some of us post here. Many have dreams "afraid of waking, that never takes the chance." A coward or hero, IMO is not made in a single moment, but over a lifetime - a collection of choices.
“Empty is the argument of the philosopher which does not relieve any human suffering.” - Epicurus
Trinity
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Re:

Post by Trinity »

Mike A. wrote:I do not think one's demise is a prequisite for 'earning' the title hero, or for that matter, coward.

There are, to be fair, all sorts of definitions for hero. As there are all sorts of definitions for coward. In the eye of the beholder one might opine.

A mirror is helpful when trying to sort out the two, I think.

It seems clear to me the two sides [hero / coward] are objective and subjective depending on if one assigns one of the values to other or to self. Then too, there are a range of values for the two.

I want to live. How I live - good or bad - is part of the decision tree of life, eh?
A hero doesn't think, IMHO.

In His/Her life the person responds to the moment.

I'm afraid of heights and roller coaster rides. Never had a problem with airplanes . . . but . . . getting on a thrill ride terrified me. Still does.

Military heroes and civilian heroes are people, one by discipline and training, the other by some inborn sense, abandon caution and perform what the rest of us see as heroism.

There is no decision tree of life . . . [with due respect] . . . depending upon the circumstances and choices we made as children . . . we become one prone to be one or the other . . . even when bullied.

Has anyone ventured a list of the qualities of the hero?
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Theophane
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Theophane »

"Is it better to be a live coward or a dead hero?"
Is this cowardice or heroism derive from how others perceive me?

To live and be thought of by all as a hero, whilst privately knowing yourself to be a coward, that would be a living hell! What if I died a heroic death but for some reason no one understood or appreciated what I'd done as heroic? If I know what I did was heroic, I think I can go to my Maker without regret.
Trinity
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Trinity »

Namthebabe wrote:People who are cowards never grow.
List some.

In some circumstances, especially in high school, I might have been a coward . . . some names and circumstances come to mind . . . even now . . . had not known on graduation I was doing University of Maryland classes, and later served.

Also . . . Kise offered me a black belt in six months. Why? Google, kise, Okinawa karate.

The idea being existential. Why would this guy offer me a shortcut to a black belt . . . from uiechi-ryu? 2nd degree brown belt?

Google, social security application. how to. What do I know or have to tell you . . . as philosophy?

I'm just an old guy using online services to apply for social security. What do I know about anything?
boagie
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by boagie »

:) Tomatoes, tomatoes!!! If your dumb enough to let it greatly effect you to be labeled a coward, you will probably do something really stupid before to long and die young anyway. The term hero is over and misused, only a real case of a heroic act clarify s it in our minds. The ultimate sacrifice, that deserves respect, and will always evoke a humbleness and a bowed head from the sidelines.
Nothing in the world in and of itself has meaning, but only in relation to a biological subject. Boagie
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Fishing
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Fishing »

Well I think this comes to the question of whether you believe in something greater than yourself, and whether that's worth believing in at all. I don't think that's something you can impose on anyone; everyone bases her existence on one of the two axioms: (1) there is something greater than myself or (2) there is nothing greater than myself.

Some people admit to having (2) as their axiom; most people claim (1) as their axiom but secretly harbor (2) in their hearts (many religious people are like this). I think relatively few truly believe there is something greater than themselves, enough to sacrifice themselves for it in a sincere act of heroism. I think these people express true humanity, while everyone else (the majority) are still trapped (for better or for worse) by animal instincts.
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Newme
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Newme »

Fishing wrote:Well I think this comes to the question of whether you believe in something greater than yourself, and whether that's worth believing in at all. I don't think that's something you can impose on anyone; everyone bases her existence on one of the two axioms: (1) there is something greater than myself or (2) there is nothing greater than myself.

Some people admit to having (2) as their axiom; most people claim (1) as their axiom but secretly harbor (2) in their hearts (many religious people are like this). I think relatively few truly believe there is something greater than themselves, enough to sacrifice themselves for it in a sincere act of heroism. I think these people express true humanity, while everyone else (the majority) are still trapped (for better or for worse) by animal instincts.
Yes, this reminds me of the importance of having goals, otherwise living a directionless, or even misguided life, based on "animalistic" whims and pleasures.
Theophane wrote:Is this cowardice or heroism derive from how others perceive me?

To live and be thought of by all as a hero, whilst privately knowing yourself to be a coward, that would be a living hell! What if I died a heroic death but for some reason no one understood or appreciated what I'd done as heroic? If I know what I did was heroic, I think I can go to my Maker without regret.
Good point. Truth is found in more than one perspective - and often seemingly conflicting perspectives. IE: One may be considered a hero, for being killed, yet it could be that they hurt or killed someone else and the consequence was them being killed. There are always 2 sides to every story, especially when it comes to contraversial situations with opposing forces. One may be considered a hero by some, and a terrorist by others.

"The whole history of the world is summed up in the fact that, when nations are strong, they are not always just, and when they wish to be just, they are no longer strong." -Winston Churchill

"You get only the amount of justice you can afford, no more, no less." -Wilfrid Sheed

"There are no whole truths; all truths are half-truths. It is trying to treat them as whole truths that plays the devil." -A. N. Whitehead

"The ambition narrows as the mind expands." -G. K. Chesterton

"The masses have never thirsted after truth. They turn aside from evidence that is not to their taste, preferring to deify error, if error seduces them. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim." -Gustave Le Bon

"Insanity in individuals is rare—but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule." -Friedrich Nietzsche

"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of inhumanity." -George Bernard Shaw

"The human mind is generally far more eager to praise or blame than to describe and define. It wants to make every distinction a distinction of value." -C. S. Lewis
“Empty is the argument of the philosopher which does not relieve any human suffering.” - Epicurus
Keithprosser3
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Keithprosser3 »

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors: we borrow it from our children."

Yeah, but what have future generations ever done for us?
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Newme
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?

Post by Newme »

Keithprosser3 wrote:"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors: we borrow it from our children."

Yeah, but what have future generations ever done for us?
And what have we done for our ancestors?
“Empty is the argument of the philosopher which does not relieve any human suffering.” - Epicurus
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