Heroism And The Pursuit Of Meaning, Jeff D. Green, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Athena H. Cairo, Nao Hagiwara
Dec 2016
Heroism And The Pursuit Of Meaning, Jeff D. Green, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Athena H. Cairo, Nao Hagiwara
Scott T. Allison
We propose that essential components of heroism and heroic actions are embedded in meaning and virtue. That is, our central thesis is that heroes and heroic behavior are intertwined with virtue and with finding meaning or purpose in life. Abraham Lincoln is an archetypal hero. We argue that it was his singular commitment to the cause of reunifying north and south, and finding his life purpose in this cause, that sustained his efforts and forged a hero. Moreover, his virtuous character likely conferred additional meaning to him and elevated his actions to the heroic; his “greatness combined with goodness” was …
The Hero Organism: Advancing The Embodiment Of Heroism Thesis In The Twenty-First Century, Olivia Efthimiou
Dec 2016
The Hero Organism: Advancing The Embodiment Of Heroism Thesis In The Twenty-First Century, Olivia Efthimiou
Scott T. Allison
Heroic accounts have captured the human imagination throughout history. In postmodern times the academic community has witnessed a resurgence in the intellectual and empirical pursuit of the concept of heroism—the advent of the multiple disciplinary field of heroism science signals the end of the monopoly of myth, fiction and popular culture on the study of heroism, offering a multi-perspective lens for the active and rigorous observation of this enduring phenomenon. Research efforts to date, however, have largely focused on its psychosocial aspects, without addressing the interaction with and relationship to the body in sufficient depth. This chapter aims to contribute …
Career Development And A Sense Of Calling: Contexts For Heroism, Bryan J. Dik, Adelyn B. Shimizu, William O'Connor
Dec 2016
Career Development And A Sense Of Calling: Contexts For Heroism, Bryan J. Dik, Adelyn B. Shimizu, William O'Connor
Scott T. Allison
This chapter explores the connection between heroism and career development. In it, we make the case that a person’s career decisions and sense of calling often function to create the context in which heroic acts occur. After a conceptual and theoretical overview, we articulate possible pathways that may influence the connections between heroism and career development, and propose new directions for scholars to explore.
A Conference On The Educational Transformation Of Today’S Emerging Adults Into Tomorrow’S Extraordinary Heroes, Philip G. Zimbardo, Zeno Franco, Scott T. Allison
Dec 2016
A Conference On The Educational Transformation Of Today’S Emerging Adults Into Tomorrow’S Extraordinary Heroes, Philip G. Zimbardo, Zeno Franco, Scott T. Allison
Scott T. Allison
We propose hosting a conference devoted to advancing theoretical and applied research in the area of heroism education of emerging adults in high schools and universities. This conference aligns with our mission at the Heroic Imagination Project: To develop and implement research, education, corporate and public initiatives to inspire and encourage everyday heroism. We seek to encourage research on empowering young people to take heroic action during crucial moments in their lives. Our conference will advance our understanding of the science and practice of educating youth to act with integrity, compassion, and moral courage, heightened by an understanding of the …
The City Of Richmond, Virginia: A Cultural And Historical Nexus Of Heroism, Scott T. Allison
Dec 2016
The City Of Richmond, Virginia: A Cultural And Historical Nexus Of Heroism, Scott T. Allison
Scott T. Allison
Richmond's unique culture and history has rendered it a magnet of heroism. This volume, Heroes of Richmond: Four Centuries of Courage, Dignity, and Virtue, has assembled scholarly contributions about Richmond’s heroic past from a distinguished group of undergraduate students at the University of Richmond.
Heroic Leadership, Scott T. Allison
Dec 2016
Heroic Leadership, Scott T. Allison
Scott T. Allison
The world’s most revered leaders have traveled the hero’s journey of personal transformation and, in turn, have used their gifts to transform others. The heroic leader’s journey is the human journey, replete with struggle, growth, learning, transformation, and an ascendency from followership to heroic leadership. Those who dare to transform, or who are compelled to do so by circumstance, grow into fully developed human beings ready, willing, and able to transform others. The transformed hero represents the pinnacle of human maturity, the state of wellbeing that allows people to flourish and experience eudaimonia.
Setting The Scene: The Rise And Coalescence Of Heroism Science, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals, Roderick M. Kramer
Dec 2016
Setting The Scene: The Rise And Coalescence Of Heroism Science, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals, Roderick M. Kramer
Scott T. Allison
This opening chapter of the Handbook of Heroism and Heroic Leadership offers insights and inspiration about the zenith of human behavior. The contributions to this volume offer a sturdy foundations for the development of a multidisciplinary and even transdisciplinary perspective on the antecedents and consequences of heroic behavior. In aggregate, these chapters chart the landscape of what we currently know about heroism-related phenomena, covering a panoply of human experiences. The chapters encompass such diverse topics as courage, empathy, resilience, hope, meaning, purpose, spirituality, morality, altruism, character strengths, wisdom, development, regeneration, and transformation.
The Hero's Transformation, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals
Dec 2016
The Hero's Transformation, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals
Scott T. Allison
In this chapter, we provide an analysis of human transformation in heroic storytelling and in the lives of everyday people. We describe what a transformation is, why it is important, what causes it to happen, and how it varies from hero to hero. We argue that the hero’s transformation is the most central yet most overlooked component of the monomyth of the hero as described by Joseph Campbell (1949) in his classic volume, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Our chapter discusses the ways in which the hero’s journey parallels various stages of healthy human development, during which people …
Attributes And Applications Of Heroes: A Brief History Of Lay And Academic Perspectives, Elaine Kinsella, Timothy D. Ritchie, Eric Igou
Dec 2016
Attributes And Applications Of Heroes: A Brief History Of Lay And Academic Perspectives, Elaine Kinsella, Timothy D. Ritchie, Eric Igou
Scott T. Allison
We briefly summarize the existing research on heroism with particular focus on the audience for heroes, and their perception of hero characteristics and influence. A new model, the hero functions framework (Kinsella, Ritchie, & Igou, 2015a), is presented and the three categories of psychological functions that heroes seem to fulfill for others are discussed. We outline three areas that we believe should be prioritized when planning future research. We then provide examples of how to use citizen heroes as a tool for positive change in health, well-being, rehabilitation, and education contexts.
Heroism Science: Frameworks For An Emerging Field, Olivia Efthimiou, Scott T. Allison
Dec 2016
Heroism Science: Frameworks For An Emerging Field, Olivia Efthimiou, Scott T. Allison
Scott T. Allison
This article outlines the conceptual framework for a new science focused on heroism using multiple perspectives to generate a science that is explicitly in service to humanity. The role of heroism as a case study for deviant interdisciplinarity, heroism science as storytelling and story revising, and its impacts for research and communities are considered. The primary concern of the deviant agenda of heroism science is the unity of knowledge and the testability of narrative-driven scientific inquiry. In this agenda, science as “episteme” and heroism are unified in their core epistemic function. Heroism science is posited as a prime candidate for …
