More broadly, our book addresses two overarching questions. The
first is, How do people perceive heroes and villains? What do such
terms mean to perceivers? Are there general conceptions of heroism?
If so, how do they differ from one person to another, or from one time
or place to another? Our second question is, how does heroism happen?
What are the paths that people take to become heroes, or villains?
What are the capacities, traits, circumstances, decisions, and actions
that lead individuals to behave heroically, or just take a pass? Why and
when do people become villains? These are our central concerns.