the evaluation of how heroic someone is is pretty much just a measure of how much we would like to be that person
To the extent the function of praise is to regulate society by rewarding behavior beneficial to the group such that it becomes beneficial to individuals, this is circular, because the (non-altruistic) reason we’d want to be heroic is to be praised.
I think praise is to encourage activities by rewarding them socially.
Praising someone is different from idolizing them as a hero, though. I think Superman gets more of the second, at least in this world, where he’s a fictional character.
To the extent the function of praise is to regulate society by rewarding behavior beneficial to the group such that it becomes beneficial to individuals, this is circular, because the (non-altruistic) reason we’d want to be heroic is to be praised.
I think praise is to encourage activities by rewarding them socially.
Praising someone is different from idolizing them as a hero, though. I think Superman gets more of the second, at least in this world, where he’s a fictional character.