James Shaw Jr. disarmed a gunman at a Nashville, Tennessee, Waffle House. The gunman killed four people in the 2018 attack. Shaw dived toward the bathroom when the shooting started. With no other available exit, Shaw took a momentary opportunity to run out of the bathroom and wrestle away the weapon. When asked about his motivation in advancing on the gunman, Shaw said: “I did that completely out of a selfish act. I was completely doing it just to save myself.” Later he elaborated: “I’ll say it again: I didn’t really fight that man to save everybody else. . . . I took the gun so I could get myself out.”

a. Do you think acts that we label heroic are usually selfish in nature? Explain.

b. When you help others are your motivations primarily selfish or selfless? Explain. See Bill Chappell, “I’m Not a Hero,” Says James Shaw Jr., Acclaimed as Hero of Waffle House Attack,” The Two-Way: National Public Radio, April 23, 2018 [www.npr.org].