3. Kirk spares the Halkans
In the season 2 TOS episode "Mirror, Mirror," Captain Kirk is thrown into a harsh world where the Terran Empire rules through fear and death.
The peaceful Halkans refuse to provide access to their dilithium crystals because they know the Terran Empire will use them for destructive purposes. Imperial procedure says the Halkans should be wiped out, but Captain Kirk, who is stuck in the Mirror Universe, refuses to fire on them.
Kirk defies everyone's expectations in a violent culture by choosing compassion over terror. Even if it means risking his life and displaying his "weakness" to a crew that is wary of him, he stalls, haggles, and tries to stop the killing.
Kirk's ideas are not situation-based, as seen by his trust in diplomacy, compassion, and the possibility of reform in a chaotic galaxy.