And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes? Compassion is a virtue that may lead to heroism, but we don’t know that it does. [Directed by Kirill Yeretsky, narrated by Matthew Winkler, music by Stephen LaRosa]. We’re just now starting to scientifically distinguish heroism from these other concepts and zero in on what makes a hero. A hero can also be defined as someone who contributes meaningfully to a community. By that definition, then, altruism is heroism light—it doesn’t always involve a serious risk. Find out what researchers say are the key qualities and characteristics of heroism, plus what makes someone more likely to be a hero. What trials unite not only Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins but many of literature's most interesting heroes? Matthew Winkler takes us step-by-step through the crucial events that make or break a hero. What makes a hero A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. So, their deeds must be in the context of community and they should be for a bigger good than the individual. Children have different perceptions of