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| 23/04/26 9:05pm | [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3] ] |
| Subject: Re: PATRIOTISM | |
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Author: Seán |
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Date Posted: 12:02:41 06/25/04 Fri In reply to: Seán 's message, "Re: PATRIOTISM" on 12:00:31 06/25/04 Fri IT IS A SENTIMENT THAT MAY APPEAR EVEN WHEN THE CAUSE OF ONE'S COUNTRY IS BASICALLY JUST. A fundamental ethical principle lays it down that an act is not constituted good merely by being directed to a good end; the means used must also be morally defensible. The end does not justify the means. No people is disposed to be over-critical of actions done in its favour, especially if courage has been shown or life lost in their doing. But neither courage nor the provocation of unjust treatment dispense from the moral law, whose precepts apply in every department of human affairs. "Of course the Irish are entitled to freedom," said Pope Benedict XV, "but be careful of the means you use to gain it," Even in reviewing the past it is not true history or wise policy to palliate or overlook what is wrong; one-sided or parial versions of events will seed a bad harvest in the example they offer succeeding generations. It is unjust to the young to make a country's story a mere propaganda weapon to influence their minds in particular directions. History is necessarily selective, but to select a nation's military endeavours for dis-proportionate attention and to glorify them beyond other achievements of a higher order is distortion of the past. It is a safe rule that the more deeply we find emotional factors engaged the more studious we should be in applying our critical intelligence to assess the moral issues involved and to discount prejudice and sentimental considerations. Enthusiasm should follow judgement and be governed by reason. Passion ought to act as a boosting factor, an auxiliary influence, not as the primary souce of activity or main generator of power. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Re: PATRIOTISM | Seán | 12:24:35 06/25/04 Fri |
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