Mon. Sept. 24 Spence 108 7:30-9 p.m.
This week, our topic will be…
Emotional Citizenship: Responsible Pride and Shame
Is it true that you are only entitled to feel pride in your country’s accomplishments IF you are equally willing to feel shame towards its failings?
How can we explain the odd moral asymmetry that many people exhibit in this domain? How is it that someone who is aware of BOTH the prideful and shameful acts of their government can feel only pride and not shame? Is this a problem?
While this question has a historical element (our government implemented BOTH the Marshall plan and a genocide against native peoples) this moral and emotional quandary is present today as well.
Doesn’t genuine patriotism and pride in the “good ol’ U.S.A.” require that one acknowledge and feel a degree of shame because our government violates FUNDAMENTAL human rights in Guantanamo Bay and SYSTEMICALLY disregards due process of law when it summarily executes people via drone attacks?
Refreshments provided!