People often feel patriotic towards their country but why is this? Do they feel particularly close to the people because they are within the same boundary? Are they responding to history classes that teach the positive and neglect the negative? Are they thankful to have received the benefits of the place they were born no matter how arbitrary it is that they receiving those benefits? I do not think that patriotism is a morally bankrupt concept in the sense that it does not have to cause anyone to act in an immoral way, but it does not seem to be a particularly moral or even thought out concept in people’s mind. It is accepted that if one is from one’s country then they should take pride in that fact. What is not clear is why they should take pride. I do feel that if people feel like they are actively contributing to the country in some way then they can take pride in the country as part of a group effort where they are a member of the group. This idea becomes irrelevant though if patriotism becomes combined with supporting a country no matter what they do. Then the person is accepting that they are not involved in the decision making and yet proud of them anyway. People who are patriotic could also become easily offended by what people from other countries say about them. It seems like it could become an excuse not to listen to other people but instead to become defensive. Patriotism is a problem if it is people saying how great there country is and how bad other people’s are.
Does patriotism boil down into conviction that your country is the best since you were born in it without thinking about what about your country you appreciate?
No comments:
Post a Comment