RC #5

The preoccupation with vitality involves establishing different kinds of limits or boundaries to respectively

different kinds of relations of vitality. Humans draw a distinction between their own children and those of

another. One usually does not love another's children as if they were one's own. And one does not usually

love another nation as if it were one's own. Such a limitation on the recognition of, and the love for, what is

understood to be one's own is a consequence of the preoccupation with the continuation of the self, both

its biological and cultural components. The love that one has for one's nation is designated by the term

'patriotism'.

The widely used term 'love' as an expression of the attachments that the individual has to his or her nation

is not altogether satisfactory because we also employ the same term to describe the attachments one has

to one's paramour, children, friends, and god. Indeed, some individuals have genuinely loved all of humanity.

What such a wide use of the term indicates is that, in each of these instances, the individual puts aside,

or 'transcends', his or her own self-interest for the sake of others. However, understanding properly the

character of such attachments should take into account not only the act of Self-transcendence common to

all of these attachments, but also the different objects of those attachments. Thus, it may be more helpful

to distinguish the love for one's paramour or children from the 'love' for one's nation by understanding

patriotism as signifying attachments of loyalty to a territorial community. There are often different aspects

to the patriotic attachments that one forms to one's nation, as a consequence of the different factors

involved in the historical formation of a particular nation. One may, for example, be loyal to one's nation

because of its laws, or its customs, or its religion. There are usually many and differing, even conflicting,

views of the nation that correspond to these different factors. However, inescapable is the fact that the

individual often shows a preference for his or her fellow nationals. This preference need not take the form of

a prejudice against, or hatred of, those who are not members of one's nation. Patriotism need not deny

varying and different pursuits by the members of the nation. It need not reject differing conceptions of the

nation held by members of the nation, as nationalism often does. Indeed, in so far as patriotism implies a

commitment to the well-being of one's country, it provides the basis for working out the differences, involving

reasonable compromise, between the individual members of the nation and their differing conceptions of

what the nation should be out of a concern for promoting that well-being. The process of working out these

differences through compromise is politics. The concern for the well-being of the nation that includes the

willingness to compromise is central to the civility between the members of the nation that makes politics

possible.

39. The author is likely to agree with which of the following statements?

(a) One's love for oneself leads to love for one's children and nation.

(b) The love for one's nation depends on the love for one's children.

(c) Patriotism like nationalism rejects differing conceptions of the nation held by its members.

(d) Patriotism arises only when one transcends his/her self-interests.

40. According to the author what is the genesis of politics?

(a) The concern for the well-being of the nation.

(b) Patriotism, because it involves the working out of differences involving compromises between

members of a nation to promote its well-being.

(c) Nationalism because it is the historical formation of a nation.

(d) The different aspects of patriotic attachments that one forms to one's nation.

41. Which of the following is in line with the author's concept of love?

A. The term love has lost its true meaning as it is now freely bandied around.

B. Love indicates setting aside or transcending one's self interest for the sake of others.

C. Patriotism, not love, is a more appropriate term to define what we feel for our country as it

implies self-transcendence.

D. Love is defined by the idea of extension of oneself and not by the property of the element being

loved.

(a) Only B (b) C and A (c) B and C (d) All of the above

Directions for questions 42 to 44: Answer the questions on the basis of the information given