Final answer:
The 'Great Man' theory of leadership is falsely understood as greatness due to birthright in the question. In fact, it suggests some men inherently possess leadership qualities, an idea that is not solely tied to ancestry or heredity but to inherent personal traits. Option b
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement provided in the question is actually false. The "Great Man" theory of leadership posits that certain men are born with the traits necessary to become great leaders, rather than achieving greatness simply because they were born into royalty or are descendants of great leaders.
This theory was popularized by the writings of Thomas Carlyle, who argued that history could be understood by examining the impact and deeds of these influential leaders. According to Carlyle, these men were the 'modellers, patterns, and in a wide sense creators' of society's achievements.
However, the theory has been criticized for its deterministic and individualistic approach to history. It contrasts with the views of writers like Leo Tolstoy, who in his novel War and Peace argued that history is shaped by a multitude of forces and individuals, not just the actions of a few 'great' men.
The term historical empathy reflects the effort to understand the past in its own context without imposing modern judgments, which is a more inclusive approach to studying history than that suggested by the Great Man theory.
Over time, the concept of leadership has evolved, and many other theories have been proposed that consider environmental factors, group dynamics, and the impact of collective action in understanding leadership and history. Option b