Is heroism a form of madness? A British teenager has been killed fighting in Ukraine. Is war so dangerous that volunteering is simply crazy?
The 18-year-old who died for Ukraine
Is heroism a form of madness? A British teenager has been killed fighting in Ukraine. Is war so dangerous that volunteering is simply crazy?
James Wilton was just 18 years old when he was killed fighting for UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. . It was his very first mission on the Ukrainian battlefields.
He travelled from his home in Britain to help the country's fight against the Russians, who invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
He is one of more than 15 British volunteersPeople who choose to do something they do not have to do. who have now given their lives for Ukraine.
Most of these volunteers say they joined up because they wanted to stand up for the Ukrainians against their bullyingWhen someone repeatedly hurts or upsets another person on purpose. neighbour. It is not surprising that their friends and families think of them as heroes.
But in a way, the idea of being a hero is swimming against the tideThe rise and fall of the sea which happens twice a day. .
In the Bronze AgeThe time between 2,000BC to 700BC when people used bronze to make items rather than stones. , whichever country had the finest individual fighters would triumph in a war. A person would be chosen from each side, and they would fight on behalf of everyone.
War has always been dangerous. But modern war is filled with particularly deadly dangers. James Wilton was killed by a Russian droneA small flying machine. . Modern drones mean soldiers can be killed by people far, far away from the battle. War is not easily controlled today.
On the one hand, war is moving back towards a world of individual heroes. On the other hand, it means being a hero is simply not enough to survive. A bit of madness is needed as well.
Is heroism a form of madness?
Yes! Heroism means putting oneself in terrible danger to help other people. But this is clearly not in the hero's interests - so anyone who becomes a hero must be crazy.
No! Most of us feel we want to live for something more than ourselves. We become heroes to make our lives greater and more valuable. People who become heroes sometimes think deeply about what they are doing.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Volunteers - People who choose to do something they do not have to do.
Bullying - When someone repeatedly hurts or upsets another person on purpose.
Tide - The rise and fall of the sea which happens twice a day.
Bronze Age - The time between 2,000BC to 700BC when people used bronze to make items rather than stones.
Drone - A small flying machine.
The 18-year-old who died for Ukraine

Glossary
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Volunteers - People who choose to do something they do not have to do.
Bullying - When someone repeatedly hurts or upsets another person on purpose.
Tide - The rise and fall of the sea which happens twice a day.
Bronze Age - The time between 2,000BC to 700BC when people used bronze to make items rather than stones.
Drone - A small flying machine.