But you know as well as I, patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong, which is infamous, or my country is always right, which is imbecile.
That’s just wrong, patriotism is subjective. The word means having a sense of pride, support, or devotion to your country. However, this concept can interpreted in wildly different ways by different people. One person could think that patriotism means standing by your country right or wrong, but another person could think that patriotism means criticizing your country when it’s done wrong. Both of these are valid forms of patriotism, it’s just that one is more extreme than the other.
I think one interpretation of the quote that includes the possibility of a patriotism that does not exclude criticizing wrongdoing of your country is that “my country, right or wrong” does not mean “i support everything my country does”, but rather “even if i don’t support some things my country does, i’ll support my country generally”.
Precisely, the quote takes into account the existence of a patriotism able to recognize that a country can be wrong.
That’s just wrong, patriotism is subjective. The word means having a sense of pride, support, or devotion to your country. However, this concept can interpreted in wildly different ways by different people. One person could think that patriotism means standing by your country right or wrong, but another person could think that patriotism means criticizing your country when it’s done wrong. Both of these are valid forms of patriotism, it’s just that one is more extreme than the other.
Don’t argue with me. Argue with Patrick O’Brien
I mean you quoted him, you clearly endorse his view.
I mean, yeah, but that’s because I read all of his books
You should do that.
Good for you I guess, my criticism of the quote still stands though
I think one interpretation of the quote that includes the possibility of a patriotism that does not exclude criticizing wrongdoing of your country is that “my country, right or wrong” does not mean “i support everything my country does”, but rather “even if i don’t support some things my country does, i’ll support my country generally”.
Precisely, the quote takes into account the existence of a patriotism able to recognize that a country can be wrong.