Conceptual Approaches to Defining the Essence of Patriotism

The article is devoted to the analysis of conceptual approaches to the study of the essence of patriotism, which is a unity of an emotional component (expressed in a lofty sense of special affection and love for the Motherland, as well as a sense of duty and responsibility) and an active component, which finds expression in an active civic position, the involvement of citizens in social processes, and caring for the welfare of the country and its citizens up to the point of willingness to sacrifice themselves for the good of the fatherland. An analysis of the literature on patriotism has shown that the greatest theoretical difficulties arise when solving the question of the relationship between patriotism and nationalism and the problem of the relationship between patriotism and universal ethical ideals. The genesis of ideas about patriotism is presented, due to the complexity of public life. It is shown that in the course of the historical development of society, patriotism acquires a value coloring, acting not only as a natural feeling of love for the fatherland but also as a virtue, a manifestation of piety. The reasons for the development and decline of local forms of patriotism, as well as the formation of a statist view of patriotism, due to the importance of the state as a central social institution, are traced. The destructive nature of criticism of the idea of patriotism in the works of L.T. Tolstoy is shown, and the polemic with his position by N.F. Fedorov and V.S. Solovyov is considered. The problem of the correlation of patriotism and universal morality (universal ethics) is formulated. The vulnerability of S. Nathanson's concept of 'moderate" (limited) patriotism is shown. The arguments against the liberal interpretation of patriotism are highlighted. The main theoretical issues of further research on patriotism are formulated, related to the inability to link it with universal moral requirements.