There Is Only One Heroism: To See the Truth of Life and Still Love It
Unlike superheroes who defeat monsters and save the world, philosophical heroism focuses more on whether an individual can uphold their will and take responsibility when confronted with the absurdity of the world, the oppression of fate, and even a meaningless existence. This quality is often found in ordinary people around us.
There is the college student who has failed the postgraduate entrance exam several times, yet still gets up at six every morning to study hard in the library. There are people living with mental‑health issues, teetering on the edge of breakdown day after day, but still striving to live and work earnestly. Then there are those whose dreams are repeatedly shattered by reality, or who have been hurt time and again by people they trusted. Instead of turning cynical, they heal themselves little by little and remain willing to show kindness to the world. Countless ordinary people, even faced with immense hardship, choose to confront difficulties bravely rather than run away.
Even heroes get worn out sometimes.
Nietzsche’s philosophy abounds with admiration for heroes and the strong. He put forward the Übermensch (Superman) philosophy. The Übermensch rises above conventional morality and worldly norms. Such individuals create their own values and meanings. Endowed with powerful willpower and creativity, they stand firm amid suffering and nihilism and become masters of their own destiny.
Camus offered a more absurd interpretation of heroism. In his writing, Sisyphus rolls a boulder up the hill every day, only for it to roll back down, yet he keeps repeating this futile task.
Within these philosophical traditions, heroism means persisting after full awakening. It is the resolve to keep going in a world without God or ultimate meaning.
Heroes are not merely carved on historical monuments. They live in every soul that chooses to strive upward. It is the lone courage to act even when success seems impossible; it is the stubbornness to press forward knowing how absurd the world can be. This seemingly foolish obstinacy is precisely how human beings seek hope amid adversity and discover greatness within the ordinary.