Research and reading on patriotism as a definition is modern day and the standard which Alasdair MacIntyre's reasons for patriotism being a virtue, makes plainly visible why it causes a lot of thoughtful people to become uncomfortable (Nathanson, 1989, pp 535). In MacIntyre's 'Is Patriotism a Virtue?', he attempts to argue, why patriotism is in conflict with how it stands in society. MacIntyre sets out from the onset that it would e deceptive for him to claim that the reasons he discusses are good reasons to either take patriotism as a virtue or a vice (MacIntyre, 2003, pp. 286). Patriotism is not something I had given much thought too, particularly in relation to my own views on the subject. In this paper I will attempt to discuss what MacIntyre
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Patriotism is not, according to MacIntyre, defending a nation's cause because they, individually, are "the champion of some great moral ideal" (MacIntyre, 2003, pp. 286). It is the ideal and not the nation that is the primary cause for concern. Therefore, MacIntyre suggests that the nation's support is of an ideal and that is distinctly different to patriotism (MacIntyre, 2003, pp. 287). To summarise, Patriotism is a loyalty to a nation that only those "possessing that particular nationality" can own. This however, as MacIntyre continues to point, does not equal a "mindless loyalty" to a particular nation while having no specific consideration for the individual characteristics of that nation. A patriot does not value the merits and achievements of other nations in the same relation as their own nation. It is uncomplicated and more straightforward to reconcile MacIntyre's opinion here. As his opinion it is quite rational. For according to his assertion, a patriot would not the merits and achievements of their nation in the same light of other nations. It is not just a merit but a merit of their particular …show more content…
I will not delve too deep into liberal moral theory, just to examine the alternatives. From a liberal perspective it is impossible to learn morality through what MacIntyre has suggested. It is to be learned and taught without bias and with detachment, despite from whom it learned or taught from. Whilst MacIntyre suggests that the community is essential for the essence of morality to be understood and
Patriotism is not, according to MacIntyre, defending a nation's cause because they, individually, are "the champion of some great moral ideal" (MacIntyre, 2003, pp. 286). It is the ideal and not the nation that is the primary cause for concern. Therefore, MacIntyre suggests that the nation's support is of an ideal and that is distinctly different to patriotism (MacIntyre, 2003, pp. 287). To summarise, Patriotism is a loyalty to a nation that only those "possessing that particular nationality" can own. This however, as MacIntyre continues to point, does not equal a "mindless loyalty" to a particular nation while having no specific consideration for the individual characteristics of that nation. A patriot does not value the merits and achievements of other nations in the same relation as their own nation. It is uncomplicated and more straightforward to reconcile MacIntyre's opinion here. As his opinion it is quite rational. For according to his assertion, a patriot would not the merits and achievements of their nation in the same light of other nations. It is not just a merit but a merit of their particular …show more content…
I will not delve too deep into liberal moral theory, just to examine the alternatives. From a liberal perspective it is impossible to learn morality through what MacIntyre has suggested. It is to be learned and taught without bias and with detachment, despite from whom it learned or taught from. Whilst MacIntyre suggests that the community is essential for the essence of morality to be understood and