Carnegie Hero Fund. In 1904, U.S. industrialist Andrew Carnegie founded the Carnegie Hero Fund with an endowment of $5 million.
The purpose of the fund is to reward heroes who risk their own lives in efforts to save the lives of others. Since its inception, more than 63,000 people have been nominated for heroism awards, but only 7,313 (about 11 percent) have been chosen to receive them. More than 1,500 Carnegie heroes (21%) have died performing their rescues, usually by drowning or fire.
Discuss the issue of heroism.
Define heroism and list the criteria you would use to grant Carnegie awards. Is your list consistent with the text’s definition of pro-social behavior?
Selfless Altruism? Is there really such a thing as selfless altruism (i.e. untainted by self-centered need fulfillment) or if there is always some selfish motive for helping (e.g. distress reduction, self esteem enhancement, etc.).
