Patriotism, Morality, and Peace

Stephen Nathanson

Rowman & Littlefield, 1993 - Philosophy - 227 pages

Is patriotism a worthy ideal, one that we ought to promote and support? Or is it a dangerous and destructive notion that leads to war and hostility? Patriotism, Morality, and Peace provides the first sustained philosophical treatment of these questions, distinguishes different forms of patriotism, and shows why some forms are indeed dangerous, while others can be valuable and constructive.

Contents

• The Case Against Patriotism: 3
• Problems for AntiPatriots: 17
• Sketch of a Reasonable Form of Patriotism: 29
• Patriotism Within the Limits of Morality: 37
• Is Moderate Patriotism Patriotic Enough?: 51
• The Basis of Loyalty: 53
• Are Patriotism and Universal Morality Compatible?: 65
• The Necessity of Choosing Sides: 79
• Can We Judge Our Country?: 89
• The Dimensions of Loyalty: 105
• From the Moderate Patriotic Perspective: 115
• On Deciding Whether a Nation Deserves Our Loyalty: 117
• Patriotism Military Service and Unjust Wars: 133
• Should Criticism Stop When the Shooting Starts?: 149
• Challenges to Moderate Patriotism: 163
• Patriotism and Global Injustice: 165
• Patriotism and Nationalism: 185
• Popular Patriotism: 199
• Selected Bibliography: 213
• Index: 223

About the author

Stephen Nathanson, Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University, is the author of The Ideal of Rationality, An Eye for an Eye?: The Immorality of Punishing by Death (Rowman & Littlefield), and Should We Consent to be Governed? A Short Introduction to Political Philosophy.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Patriotism, Morality, and Peace; Studies in Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy; Studies in social & political philosophy
• Author: Stephen Nathanson
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 1993
• ISBN: 0847678008, 9780847678006
• Length: 227 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy