Patriotism vs. Nationalism

Does anyone really know the difference? Is there a difference? As far as I am concerned the answer is no. Patriot is defined as one who loves and zealously supports one’s own country, according to Webster’s Dictionary. Also according to Webster, nationalism is defined as devotion to one’s nation; patriotism or the advocacy/support of national independence. See what I mean; what’s the difference expect the wording? And notice how the word patriotism is used in the definition of nationalism? Even the Microsoft Encarta Thesaurus lists the two as synonyms of each other. So how can we be expected to know a difference if the almighty dictionary and thesaurus doesn’t list them as different. To me it doesn’t matter, according to the article we read by Jenson I am an internationalist and in reality I think most of us are. I just don’t see how anyone can say they are being loyal to their country when they don’t agree with everything it is doing. And for people who participate in overseas business exchanges I don’t see how they can only be loyal to their country because they must also respect the country they are doing business with in order to continue doing business. I think you can still be considered supportive to your country even if you support another country (like in the case that you had to move). I only think this becomes controversial when they are fighting against each other. If this were to happen it would raise many questions such as who do you choose or don’t you.

Question:

Do you believe that in order to be considered completely loyal to your country you have to be willing to physically fight for it??

In response to Lauren’s question, “Do you think acceptance for different body modifications will continue to grow for the work environment?”

As much as I don’t want to say this and hope that it isn’t true, absolutely. More and more people are having some kind of body modification done. As a result the more people to do it, the more pressure there is on those who aren’t doing it to start.  Also because of the pressure from society including the work force people who have body modifications feel like they need more. Unfortunately many people have gone so far that they aren’t beautiful or handsome anymore, to the point where they looked better before they did anything. It is like everyone has become blind and now they are unable to see true natural beauty; instead they only know how to see what they want to see. I think many people are forgetting that beauty doesn’t always have to be on the outside; many times it is inside the person. And those of us who haven’t become blind have developed an eye that detects that fakeness or in other words the modifications. People are pushing it too far especially because of the health hazards involved. Unfortunately for now I think the push for body modifications will grow but I hope that in the near future the opposite becomes true.

Question:

Do you think doctors will get to the point where they refuse to perform body medications??

In response to Israel’s questions, “Do you feel as if we HAVE to label ourselves an agnostic, atheist, or theist? Do you think that sometimes in philosophy discussion, there is too much of a need to be technical and abiding?”

To answer the first question, NO. It shouldn’t matter what we believe in, if anything, and thus there should be no requirement to label ourselves. Labels just give us a reason to argue against one another. If we could get rid of the labels life would less stressful because many of the unnecessary arguments would be eliminated. Now I may be thinking to the extreme but without labels racism and segregation and stereotypes would also be technically eliminated, which would stop a lot of the fighting and other violence. But this would never happen because of how bound we are as a species to be constantly labeling everyone and everything.

To answer the second question, yes I agree. To me in philosophy there is no need to come up with a direct answer; it is okay for something to be deceiving. Philosophy is just options, thoughts, and beliefs, thus no one can ever be wrong (although some people will argue that one’s options can be wrong).  I also agree with the comment from your blog that many times it does seem like people are arguing just for the sake of argue not only in philosophical discussions but about anything. To me this isn’t necessary and at times it becomes annoying.

Question:

Why do you think we always feel the need to put ourselves in categories, and if someone isn’t in a category why are we so quick to place them in one??