I completely agree. While seeing things through the hero's eyes can be useful, I think it's more likely in order to see a differing perspective, one that perhaps is more directly connected to the hurdles and problems they are trying to overcome. Other characters are very much suited to seeing the heroic traits in the hero that the hero characters would come off as a bit arrogant if they took the time pointing out.

I suppose it all boils down to the circumstances. It's easy to say someone like Superman is a hero because he possesses these powers that lift him above those of the average man. But of course, it's not really just the powers that make him a hero, as plenty of villains have equally impressive abilities. It's the self-sacrifice, compassion, and similar traits that make the character himself a hero.

This is rather relevant for me since I've got two story ideas currently percolating in my mind. One involves a story where the world the main character finds himself in is the subject, similar to Gulliver's Travels. The other story has a hero character that starts out as something of a villain and makes a transformation, and that's been a bit difficult to flesh out.