One of the most important qualities of being valorous is
fearlessness
, defined as
strength
of mind to carry on in spite of danger
, by Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Studies from the article,
The bold and the fearless among us: Elevated psychopathic traits and levels of anxiety and fear
are associated with specific aberrant driving behaviors,
show that people with higher bold
qualities tend to be more rash and impulsive (The bold and the fearless, 2015). As seen through
this essay, all of the situations encountered exemplified an act of bold and rash behavior, but
showed valor, nonetheless. It is possible that to these people what they are doing is not perceived
as being bold, but only thought of as doing their job. In the case of
Welles Crowther
, i
n the
article,
Five Heroes to Remember This September 11
, it was not Welles job to go out save others,
THE MEANING OF VALOR
5
but accomplished to save the lives of 18
others, giving up his life in the process (Five Heroes to
Remember, 2010). He also could have escaped unscathed, but decided to help with the rescue
effort. Being bold means someone who goes into a situation with the knowledge of risk to
themselves even after assessing the possible outcome, which is what Crowther demonstrated.
The
fearlessness
of these individuals exhibited required great
fortitude
for them to accomplish
what they did.
It also takes a considerable amount of mental
fortitude
to accomplish valorous acts. All of
these qualities intertwine with one another, but mental toughness focuses on courage, intention
and effort, according to
Exploring the relationship between demographic factors, performance
and fortitude in a group of diverse 1st-year medical students
. The values of mental toughness in
all situations is also not inherited, but taught. It shows how these people are when obstacles arise,
they do not turn around when something becomes difficult.
Mental toughness is the voice in back
of one’s head that tells them to move through the challenges, which shown by the people above.
Also, in the article,
Beyond Heroes and Villains: Examining Explanatory Mechanisms
Underlying Moral Disengagement,
explains that a person with greater mental strength is more
likely to allow them to take an initiative. Throughout the acts of courage within this essay, people
looked past themselves to take initiative in order to put other lives in front before their own. The
fortitude
these people showed in their dire situation is now commemorated as highly
honorable
through the public eye.
Most people will view the acts committed through this essay as
honorable
. Everyone has
an understanding of what it means to be ethical, no matter the ethnic background, according to
Violence as Honorable? Racial and Ethnic Differences in Attitudes Toward Violence.
It is defined
as “
good reputation, good quality or character as judged by other people” by Merriam-Webster
THE MEANING OF VALOR
6
dictionary. These individuals did, indeed, show good qualities, which everyone can relate to as
ethical and deserving of respect.
Being ethical will not always be the popular course of action
and perhaps cause tension, but that sets apart the people that are valorous and who are not. Being
