Alasdair Macintyre's Is Patriotism A Virtue?

Having critical analysed Alasdair MacIntyre’s thought provoking and in depth article entitled “Is Patriotism a Virtue?” it can be noted there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to view patriotism as a virtue or the mutually opposed belief that patriotism is a vice. This comparative review of patriotism is based on moral foundations which influences one perspectives about the nature of patriotism. In this essay I hope to give a clear account of MacIntyre’s views in relation to this topic by providing an explanation of patriotism, what it entails , the impact of morality and the various viewpoints that can be taken which no doubt influences ones views about the nature of patriotism . However, it must be stated …show more content…
It is his belief in this article that patriotism is associated with morality but before we can analyse this relationship we must define it .As noted by MacIntyre patriotism can be defined as “loyalty to a particular nation which only those possessing that particular nationality can exhibit”. In addition to this, his article puts forward the idea that patriotism involves particularities in terms of one’s nation, nationality and where their loyalties lie. While it involves loyalty to a particular nation it is fundamental that consideration is given to the characteristics, achievements and merits of one’s community. His communitarian view of patriotism involves going beyond ones admiration for their country and their ability to criticise it but most importantly viewing it as a core element of individuals lives which helps them in being the best they can be. From analysing this article I am of the opinion that it is his belief that if patriotism is to be considered a virtue it should be viewed as a loyalty exhibiting virtue. Similarly patriotism involves more than love and loyalty for one’s nation, it involves an action generating process. Simply, loyalty which an individual has for their country is expressed not only in words but through their actions. Additionally as a catholic communitarian thinker MacIntyre is of the opinion that virtues should be given priority. Furthermore, he believes that …show more content…
Individual’s morality can be derived from those in power in their society, as they have more control over what should be viewed as a virtue or a vice. If powerful individuals think it is morally acceptable to view patriotism as a virtue then those members of society influenced by those in power will too be of that opinion. Similarly, if a member of society submits themselves to those that excel they will become a good citizen. According to MacIntyre, an individual is less likely to remain a moral agent if they are deprived of their community “they are unlikely to flourish as moral agents “.This no doubt highlights the notion that community plays a significant role in providing morality. Therefore, morality of patriotism is based on membership of a particular community, however criticism must be allowed to enable individual’s to stand back and abstract oneself from the roles and views they inhabit in order to choose morally and freely which view of patriotism they wish to