Patriotism, nationalism

[Red_or_Dead]

I have a question for OIers - the ones who are patriotic, proud of their nation, country, race, or something along those lines:

Why?

[534634634265]

im proud of the good genes ive inherited. is this close enough?
srsly tho, i think patriotism or nationalism is just making yourself part of a larger collective pride. "we didn't fight in the Revolutionary War, but we're still glad it was fought and won by the fathers of american liberty" etc.

[Dean]

im proud of the good genes ive inherited. is this close enough?

Why? You had nothing to do with that. What makes your genes so special anyways?

[534634634265]

Why? You had nothing to do with that. What makes your genes so special anyways?
OMG:blink:
you've got to be a troll. i was SOOO kidding.
maybe i can selectively quote you into a viewpoint you don't hold.

EDIT: also, note i didn't say my genetic structure was superior, only that i was proud to have it. aren't you proud to be who you are?

[RedAnarchist]

OMG:blink:
you've got to be a troll. i was SOOO kidding.
maybe i can selectively quote you into a viewpoint you don't hold.

EDIT: also, note i didn't say my genetic structure was superior, only that i was proud to have it. aren't you proud to be who you are?

I would be more careful when making sarcastic comments cl, in case people take you seriously.

[534634634265]

I would be more careful when making sarcastic comments cl, in case people take you seriously.
yeah, no kidding.
i feel like the rodney dangerfield of this forum.;)

[Jazzratt]

EDIT: also, note i didn't say my genetic structure was superior, only that i was proud to have it. aren't you proud to be who you are?

I'm proud of what I've done. Who I am was a mere accident of birth, what I do is all to do with me.

[Bud Struggle]

I'm proud of what I've done. Who I am was a mere accident of birth, what I do is all to do with me.

Well I'm proud of all my successes, but whatever I've done was in the context of a society that lets one succeed if one is talented and one works hard. So I am also proud of my country, the United States, for providing me with the opportunity to rise from poverty and become reasonably well educated and reasonably well off.


yeah, no kidding.
i feel like the rodney dangerfield of this forum.;)

Join the OI--trust me on this--we have a lot more fun (I mean A LOT more,) and we are not always looking over our sholders to see if Big Brother is watching.

[pusher robot]

I have a question for OIers - the ones who are patriotic, proud of their nation, country, race, or something along those lines:

Why?

What do you mean "why?" Why not? Most of my pride is for humanity, and its stupdendous, exponential curve of achievement. Some of that pride is for my country, which, whatever its faults, has been absolutely instrumental in changing all of humanity for the better. Some of that pride is for my culture, which embraces free agency, free scientific inquiry and skepticism, and cooperation. I feel pride in these things because I think they are better than some alternatives, and I am glad that I have the opportunity to contribute to them.

[Killfacer]

no one answered his question did they... He asked why people are patriotic about their place of birth.

Sport (football or "soccer", rugby, cricket) has alot to do with my patriotism, i want England to do well and i want Bristol City to do well. So football probably influences my opinion alot. Its a hard question to answer why someone supports the country of their origin. I guess its partially just a group mentality (much the same as more local football clubs), its nice being part of a large group, all cheering on the same country/team.

Im proud of England because England has, despite its tiny size, contributed a ridiculous amount to the modern world.

[Red_or_Dead]

He asked why people are patriotic about their place of birth.

No, actually thats only a part of my question. I meant much more generaly. Like, we have emigrants in South America, West Europe, ect. who are still very patriotic Slovenes, even tho they might not even be born here, or if they have been they have been away for most of their lifetimes. Just an example that its not always a place of birth that one can be patriotic about. What I was refering to is patriotism and nationalism in the most general sense.


Sport (football or "soccer", rugby, cricket) has alot to do with my patriotism, i want England to do well and i want Bristol City to do well. So football probably influences my opinion alot. Its a hard question to answer why someone supports the country of their origin. I guess its partially just a group mentality (much the same as more local football clubs), its nice being part of a large group, all cheering on the same country/team.


IDK, I think that this is more of a symptom than the actual reason as to why people are patriotic. Upringing, indoctrination in family, school and soceity in general are the real reasons in my opinion.


Im proud of England because England has, despite its tiny size, contributed a ridiculous amount to the modern world.

History aside (as England, or the UK, has some very dark pages in its history as well), well... Jazzratt said it and I agree a 100%:


I'm proud of what I've done. Who I am was a mere accident of birth, what I do is all to do with me.

I mean, how can I feel pride for something that "my nation" has done before I was even born? And even if "my nation" was doing something really cool right now, and I wouldnt have anything to do with it, why should I feel proud? For example, why should the entire Spanish nation feel proud for winning the Euro, even tho that succes belongs to a handfull of people?


Well I'm proud of all my successes, but whatever I've done was in the context of a society that lets one succeed if one is talented and one works hard. So I am also proud of my country, the United States, for providing me with the opportunity to rise from poverty and become reasonably well educated and reasonably well off.


Capitalism vs. communism aside, again I dont see that as a sufficent reason to be proud of your country. Im not really familiar with your backround, but from what I gather from your post, its you who are responsible for your succes. Its your work and effort you should be proud of, not your country. What does your country even have to with it here? I understand that it lets you be well educated and lets you be well off. But thats your right to begin with.


What do you mean "why?" Why not? Most of my pride is for humanity, and its stupdendous, exponential curve of achievement. Some of that pride is for my country, which, whatever its faults, has been absolutely instrumental in changing all of humanity for the better. Some of that pride is for my culture, which embraces free agency, free scientific inquiry and skepticism, and cooperation. I feel pride in these things because I think they are better than some alternatives, and I am glad that I have the opportunity to contribute to them.

See above.


srsly tho, i think patriotism or nationalism is just making yourself part of a larger collective pride.

Well, this makes the most sense to me.

[Baconator]

Nationalism or Patriotism is a form of collectivism. And like any collectivist ideology, its not based on any objective facts but rather on false and invisible absolutes.