ABSTRACT
Theory is a necessary stop on our journey into the nature of heroism, but theory is not an “academic” exercise. Theory is deeply relevant and powerful, or else it is of little value. In this chapter, two bodies of theory are considered: normative ethics and leadership theories. Normative ethics seek to elucidate what it means for us to live a good life; four normative ethical theories (virtue ethics, teleology, deontology and the ethics of care) are reviewed. Leadership theories trace different views how leaders lead and why followers follow. Four areas of leadership theory (trait, behavioral, contingency and postmodern humanism) are presented. Conclusions resulting from the confluence of these two bodies of theory are discussed.
