By many accounts, our country is deeply polarized and divided, especially on matters political. What, if anything, could bring us together? This reading group proposes that love, in particular love of country or patriotism is an essential part of the answer. Of course, this raises a host of questions, such as:
- What is patriotism? Is it always a good thing? Could it be a virtue?
- What is unique about American patriotism? What, precisely, should we love about our country and why? What might be reasons not to love our country?
- How do you love what doesn’t always seem loveable? How do you foster love for country without being blind to its defects?
- Can people from very different political perspectives really unite under the banner of ‘patriotism’? What would it mean in practice?
We’ll explore such questions and more by discussing selections from political philosopher Steven B. Smith’s 2021 book Reclaiming Patriotism in an Age of Extremes.
Led by Dr. Victor Saenz
Email jprather@houstoninstitute.org, if interested.
