Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Our notions of patriotism are mistaken

  1. #1 | Top
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Posts
    53,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15,989 Times in 11,516 Posts
    Groans
    873
    Groaned 2,459 Times in 2,200 Posts

    Default Our notions of patriotism are mistaken

    Opinion by
    George F. Will
    Columnist

    Patriotism is a species of loyalty and a form of love. In “Reclaiming Patriotism in an Age of Extremes,” Smith, a Yale philosopher, argues that many on the right profess to love the United States but misunderstand — or, worse, reject — the essence of what makes this creedal nation distinctive. And, Smith says, the patriotism that many on the left profess — on those occasions when they warily, gingerly embrace the idea — is a cold, watery affection for an abstraction. It is loyalty to a hypothetical United States that might be worthy of their love-as-loyalty.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...ece_story.html

  2. #2 | Top
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Posts
    53,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15,989 Times in 11,516 Posts
    Groans
    873
    Groaned 2,459 Times in 2,200 Posts

    Default

    "The philosopher’s task is to facilitate clear thinking by making clarifying distinctions. People are not always grateful for this service, as Socrates discovered. The political philosopher’s task is to clarify contested concepts, such as patriotism. Regarding this, Steven B. Smith has drawn intelligent distinctions that might have some on the right and left competing for the pleasure of serving him a cup of hemlock."

  3. #3 | Top
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Posts
    23,532
    Thanks
    3,066
    Thanked 9,770 Times in 7,271 Posts
    Groans
    49
    Groaned 1,060 Times in 1,005 Posts

    Default

    I'm no fan of George Will--truthfully, I can't stand the guy and find him to be obnoxiously pedantic-- but nationalist chauvinism is what passes for patriotism in this nation.
    I reference patriotism in my signature.
    Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Samuel Johnson, 1775
    Religion....is the opiate of the people. Karl Marx, 1848
    Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose. Kris Kristofferson, 1969

  4. #4 | Top
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Posts
    53,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15,989 Times in 11,516 Posts
    Groans
    873
    Groaned 2,459 Times in 2,200 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NiftyNiblick View Post
    I'm no fan of George Will--truthfully, I can't stand the guy and find him to be obnoxiously pedantic-- but nationalist chauvinism is what passes for patriotism in this nation.
    I reference patriotism in my signature.
    Yes, no fan of Will myself.
    But he is willing to call out right wing patriotism as a fraud.

  5. #5 | Top
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Posts
    53,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15,989 Times in 11,516 Posts
    Groans
    873
    Groaned 2,459 Times in 2,200 Posts

    Default

    Patriotism, too, is a disposition — a “peculiarly conservative” one. It is “akin to gratitude” and “rooted in a rudimentary, even primordial love of one’s own: the customs, habits, manners, and traditions that make us who and what we are.” Patriotism suggests “an extended family,” which we love because it has “nurtured and sustained us through good times and bad.”

Similar Threads

  1. Liberal Gandhi Fetishism and the Problem with Pop Notions of 'Violence'
    By FUCK THE POLICE in forum Current Events Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-26-2019, 11:08 AM
  2. Lying whore or just mistaken?
    By Wolverine in forum Current Events Forum
    Replies: 47
    Last Post: 10-03-2018, 12:06 PM
  3. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-02-2018, 09:36 PM
  4. 10-Year-Old Boy Mistaken For Armed Teen
    By TTQ64 in forum General Politics Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-11-2018, 01:05 PM
  5. Americans Are Mistaken About Who Gets Welfare
    By Bourbon in forum Current Events Forum
    Replies: 301
    Last Post: 02-17-2018, 07:00 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Rules

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •