People tend to show patriotism to the country they're born in. Why is this? If you are a gungho US patriot, how would you feel if you had been born in another country? Isn't thinking that your birth country is best a form of egotism?
2006-07-14 15:17:33 · 14 answers · asked by ? 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The "Love it or leave it" approach fails to address the philosophical question. There have been some good answers. I'm looking for arguments that employ more "logos" than "pathos."
2006-07-14 17:05:43 · update #1
Sapphire: I think Thoreau got the idea from Rousseau who promoted the idea of the "Social Contract." My question is how can we be fairly asked to buy into a contract when we can't even walk and talk yet? We have to accept the terms of a "contract" we haven't read and wouldn't
understand anyway depending only on where we're born..
2006-07-15 07:48:02 · update #2
This question goes far beyond and far deeper than any matter of "patriotism", country, ones origins, culture etc.
As human beings we've created a society based upon competition, in that and from that comes ideals and standards which are commonly viewed as "patriotic" along with countless other values and beliefs which vairy from place to place.
Human nature dictates that any is right or wrong / better than any other in some form etc. And those which are born in any particular area are expected to be supportive of those views, beliefs etc... (regardless of their merits or lack thereof).
The ONLY inherent "duties" and/or resposibilities as a human being is to live life to the best of your ability and allow (if not help) others in doing the same. Universal laws of conduct superceed any nation, area, regieme..... That's where the beliefs of "God" come into play.
For what good that's done though...... As an example: "Thou shault not kill".... How can one claim to believe in "God" and yet be a part of any war??? Or even so much as be supportive of one??? Yes, those people are "patriotic" no doubt, but on a higher level, when issues of nations fail where do those people stand as human beings? Where could they possibly stand?
Human beings, regardless of where they originated from all have the ability to reason, choosing to use that in matters of limited existence OR in matters which will open doors for enlightenment is really up to the individual.
Over the past 6000+ years.... Seeing such little progress in the latter AND in current world events, really should make everyone painfully aware of how futile, negative and short lived being "patriotic" really is.
2006-07-14 16:42:45 · answer #1 · answered by Izen G 5 · 5⤊ 3⤋
no, nationality is really mythical.
People aren't starving in the Congo because of poor planning.
One could argue that serving your country, that which you know and are involved in, is best. As the duty to help your family would also seem not to fall on any but your family. But "knowing" your country may not be the case, having no perspective of alternatives, no "outsider" perspective at all. So you may end up preaching to the choir, supporting what you mistake to be the case, generally miss an ambivalence because you assume it is natural and necessary.
2006-07-15 05:32:24 · answer #2 · answered by -.- 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are under no obligation, being that you are a free person. There are many ways of supporting your country. You could help the homeless, tutor underpriveleged children, you know, things to better your country and your fellow countrymen (countrypeople?). However, if you feel that you cannot contribute to your country of birth in a positive manner, then you should do the right thing and find yourself another country to be part of.
2006-07-14 22:25:43 · answer #3 · answered by GregW 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honorable men have a duty to the country that protects them and provides the opportunity to raise a family. Most people stay where they were born, that is why they support that country. Why support a different country that is not responsible for your freedom? A person wouldn't.
2006-07-14 22:24:02 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Been reading Thoreau have we? I think that if you support your countries policies then it is ok to be patriotic. If you do not support your country it is your choice. Not having to support our country, the U.S. , is what makes this country great. If you are gungho for your country simply because it is the fad of the time it is pure B.S.
2006-07-14 22:24:12 · answer #5 · answered by Sapphire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that an individuals should support ideals rather than nations. I support freedom, equality, and individualism, and will therefore support any country that protects these ideals.
What I feel is unfortunate is that many people consider freedom something which their government has given to them. In my opinion, each individual is born free, and the country they live in can only diminish this freedom in varying degrees.
2006-07-15 02:20:38 · answer #6 · answered by eyad d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called nationalism, and it is taught to us at schools, and probably by parents as well. It's almost like sports in high school except less personal. The country is a part of who you are and you are a part of it, so insulting the entire country feels almost like you are insulting yourself. Hating how the government is run is different than not loving your country.
2006-07-14 22:23:29 · answer #7 · answered by mbezlr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I support this country in prayer and as it heeds the commands of God.
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
But I don't consider this to be "my" country.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Hebrews 11:14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
2006-07-14 22:26:25 · answer #8 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Consider your country the same as the house you live in. If your home were under attack, wouldn't you leap to its defense? And, wouldn't you have some degree of pride (nationalism, patriotism) in that house, if you helped to build it, or maintain it, and had, perhaps, suffered, or sacrificed to keep it?
2006-07-14 22:37:15 · answer #9 · answered by virgoascendant 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One should never forget their ancestral background. My parents were from Italy, but loved the U.S.A., and observed many Italian cultural observances.
It appears, today, that many DEMOCRATS believe they should disavow their country, and pledge their allegiance to the DEMOCRAT PARTY.
2006-07-14 22:24:06 · answer #10 · answered by george s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋