ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights a series of distinctions regarding patriotism, including that between its worldly and distinctively ethical varieties. It focuses on patriotism as a distinctively ethical stance. The chapter argues that, while a certain kind of worldly patriotism is morally permissible, but devoid of positive moral significance, a distinctively ethical type of patriotism is, under certain fairly typical circumstances. Patriotism is normally considered an altruistic attitude. It is celebrated in much of patriotic literature and art as one of the main expressions of altruism — as selfless, indeed self-effacing, self-sacrificial love of and loyalty to one's country and compatriots. Patriotism as we know it from history and from everyday experience is much too often an attitude that invites criticism. Moderate patriotism is compatible with a decent degree of humanitarianism. Its adherent shows special concern for her country and compatriots, but that does not prevent her from having a measure of concern for other countries and their inhabitants.
