Poli 202 MacIntyre Study Guide

MacIntyre Key Concepts

Patriotism

Loyalty and devotion to one’s country or nation.A moral system based on individual rights, autonomy, and impartiality.

Liberal Morality

A moral system based on individual rights, autonomy, and impartiality.

Community

A group of individuals with shared values, traditions, and goals

Impartiality

Treating all people equally and without bias.

Identity

The characteristics, values, and beliefs that define an individual or group.

Virtue Argument

A moral argument based on the cultivation of virtues like justice, courage, and wisdom.

Is there a conflict between patriotism and liberal morality?

• Yes, MacIntyre sees a conflict between patriotism and liberal morality.

• The conflict arises because patriotism requires a deep loyalty to one's nation and its values, which may be at odds with liberal morality, which emphasizes universal rights, impartiality, and individual freedoms. Patriotism often asks individuals to prioritize their country’s interests over universal moral principles, which can lead to actions that undermine broader ethical considerations (e.g., justifying war or exclusionary policies for national benefit).

How might the conflict between patriotism and liberal morality be resolved?

• MacIntyre suggests that the conflict between patriotism and liberal morality might be resolved by rethinking the concept of loyalty.

• Instead of blind loyalty to the nation, patriotism could be redefined to align more with moral virtues that respect universal human rights, combining a love for one’s country with a commitment to justice and the common good.

What can a patriot criticize?

• What a patriot can criticize: A patriot can criticize specific policies or actions of the state that are inconsistent with the nation's moral ideals or fail to align with just principles.

What a patriot cannot criticize: A patriot cannot criticize the fundamental identity or core values of the nation itself without undermining their own commitment to the nation. Criticism should not challenge the foundational principles of patriotism or national loyalty.

Patriotism and moral danger

Patriotism is a source of moral danger because it often encourages unquestioning loyalty to the nation, which can lead to the justification of immoral actions (e.g., unjust wars, oppression of outsiders) in the name of national interest. This loyalty can undermine a commitment to universal moral principles, leading to a moral blind spot where the nation’s actions are excused, regardless of their ethical implications.

Liberal morality and moral danger

Liberal morality can also be a source of moral danger because it often abstracts morality from concrete social contexts and traditions, making it difficult to maintain a meaningful connection to community values. By emphasizing individual autonomy and universal rights, it risks neglecting local traditions and the social bonds that help form a coherent and virtuous society. This can lead to moral fragmentation and undermine collective moral responsibilities.

Is patriotism a virtue?

MacIntyre does not view patriotism as a virtue in the traditional sense, but he suggests that it can be a virtue when it aligns with moral principles that contribute to the common good and reflect genuine concern for justice. Patriotism becomes virtuous when it is grounded in shared values that promote the well-being of all citizens and respect universal human rights, rather than being a blind loyalty to the nation’s power or interests.