22. Claim: The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models.

22. Claim: The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models. 
Reason: Heroes and role models reveal a society's highest ideals. 

Assumption: A society's ideals represents the character of a society.

Agree:

- Heroes and role models change with the society. 
Ex: The Vietnam War was the first "television war," bringing the terrors of war into the homes of Americans. When the Vietnam soldiers returned, they were greeted with hate and despised for what they had to do during war. However, during the War of Terror following 9/11, soldiers were greeted as "defenders of freedom."


Ex: Lei Feng of China is a cultural icon, symbolizing selflessness, modesty and dedication. Mao Zedong picked Lei Feng as a role model devoted to the Communist party.
   - Emphasizes the importance of moral character
   - Some stated that parts of Lei Feng's diaries that were later published were forged by propagandists to improve Mao's image.

Ex: Jack Ma of China, the founding chairman of the ecommerce empire Alibaba Group, is a national idol not only because of his business skills but because of his rise from a small business to the mammoth business it is today.


Disagree:
- A society's ideals don't actually represent the character of the society.