I agree that a hero is a hero based on heroic deeds, but only the most unexamined life can be seen as praiseworthy in all aspects.
Exactly! I suppose I could say that for those exact reasons is why I don't believe anyone could ever truly be a role model for anyone else, that people need to build their fulfillment upon themselves. Specifically, for Whedon's characters, I see a lack of self-reflection (and not just for the vampiric pun). They don't really learn from their mistakes; they just seem to get stuck in these self-destructive loops where nothing gets resolved and they just hurt themselves and others further, and I don't see that as role-model-y. I couldn't see myself pointing out Buffy or any Whedonverse character to a group of children as a role model... Maybe Fred or Tara... Then again, I couldn't point out Beowulf, Launcelot, Batman, Superman, or really any fictional character as a role model either. If one ignores or excuses the flaws, especially flaws which hurt others, then one is building an image of a role-model that doesn't exist, putting that person on a pillar without really acknowledging why they don't need to be up there on said pillar, then it's like one has just created a new character.