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Empathy plays a central role in producing heroic action by fostering a deep emotional connection with others and motivating individuals to act altruistically, often at personal risk. It involves understanding and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others, which can trigger a compelling sense of responsibility and moral obligation. When individuals empathize with someone in distress or danger, they are more likely to engage in selfless, courageous actions to alleviate that person’s suffering or to rectify a harmful situation, embodying what is considered heroic behavior. Empathy-driven heroism is marked by a profound concern for the welfare of others, transcending self-interest, and often involves spontaneous, instinctual actions. This intrinsic motivation to help, rooted in empathic feelings, distinguishes heroic acts from other forms of prosocial behavior,...
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References
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Allison, S.T. (2024). Empathy and Heroism. In: Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_229-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_229-1
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