In The Hero in History (page 163), Sidney Hook makes the following comments (the italics are mine) :-

"It is the task ofa democratic society to break down the invidious distinctions reflected in current linguistic usage between the hero and .tke masses or the average man. This can be accomplished in part by reinterpreting the meaning of the word "hero", and by recognising that "heroes," .can he made by fitting social opportunities more skilfully to specific talents. What we call "the average man" is not a biological but a social phenomenon. Human capacities are much more diversified than our social arrangements take note of.