How Has American Honor Changed

Honor is something deep down, everyone is striving to obtain. It can be defined in many ways, and forms, nevertheless they all come to the same conclusion. Honor is thinking of others first; it is giving your life for others, and not worrying about yourself. It is doing something just for the action itself, not the reward. American honor is being selfless, it is very much the same in different cultures and countries, although some people argue that it has stayed the same, it has drastically changed over the years. Modern American Honor puts others before yourself, not thinking about what you will get in return. It is also doing something for your country. In General MacArthur’s speech, he states “Duty, honor, country: [...] They are your

They might argue that honor has stayed the same using something like this: Merriam Webster defines honor as, “Good name or public esteem: reputation” (Merriam Webster). However, this just confirms that honor hasn’t stayed the same because honor used to be about reputation, now it is about selfless acts. In the article, The Art of Manliness Chris Hutcheson said, “But for many centuries, challenging another man to a duel was not only considered a pinnacle of honor, but was a practice reserved for the upper-classes, those deemed by society to be true gentlemen”(Hutcheson). This demonstrates that honor used to be something that men had to defend for themselves, it was a part of their pride and reputation as a man and gentlemen. In this day and age, asking someone to a duel would be an immature and foolish thing to do, therefore honor has remarkably changed over

It is giving your life, and sacrificing yourself for your country. Justin McCurry writes, “In the newly formed kamikaze, Tokyo’s military leaders envisioned a dedicated unit of ideologically conditioned warriors willing to die a glorious death for their empire.” (McCurry). McCurry is explaining how the Kamikaze Japanese soldiers would commit suicide, by smashing their plane into U.S ships or planes. They believed this to be the highest degree of honor on the grounds that they were helping Japan win the war, and therefore saving lives of their entire country. General MacArthur said, “The American man-of-arms [...] one of the world’s noblest figures.” (MacArthur). Now, as an American, you might think that the Japanese Kamikaze were being selfish by taking their own life, but, in the eyes of the Kamikaze soldiers, they were giving their lives for their country in war, which American’s do every day and consider it honorable, as General MacArthur has said.

In everyone there is a desire to be honorable, country and culture aside. All in all, modern American honor is very much similar to those of other cultures, no matter our point of view and difference of opinion. Honor has been discussed throughout time, but has since changed. It is not just dueling another man to justify that your are better, or defending your reputation, it is an act of selflessness, bravery and courage.