BBC World Service South Asia

The Why Factor

Documentaries

Factual

The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions

The Why Factor: Why Do we Want or Need Heroes?

Why Do we Want or Need Heroes?

15/01/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Why Do we Want or Need Heroes?

Angie Hobbs asks why do we want or need heroes?

Is being a hero something you set out to do, or something you don’t choose, but live up to when it’s thrust upon you?

On the Why Factor this week, Angie Hobbs asks why do we want or need heroes? What constitutes a heroic act? Is it something you set out to do, or something you don’t choose, but live up to when it’s thrust upon you?  And why do societies celebrate heroism? Professor Hobbs talks to people who’ve been hailed as heroes:  Colonel Tim Collins who gave a much praised eve-of-battle speech to his troops as they were about to enter Iraq in 2003, Justin Oliphant who tackles gang violence in South Africa and Dame Ellen MacArthur who broke the record for solo round the world sailing.  Angie also hears from experts on heroism:  psychologist professor Alice Eagly of Northwestern University, historian Sir Max Hastings and MP and explorer Rory Stewart. 

Produced by Arlene Gregorius and Jessica Treen

(Photo of a helicopter rescue. Credit: IStock)

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Why Factor

Why Do we Want or Need Heroes?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service