The term “patriotism” has had different meanings, deriving from different historical circumstances. In its predominant modern sense it has been condemned as vicious, extolled as virtuous, and judged to be a quality potentially virtuous, but only in moderation. It is argued that, as most commonly understood by writers in this century, neither unrestricted patriotism, nor even moderate patriotism, is a virtue, but it is a socially pernicious vice, the more virulent for being associared with virtue.

The term “patriotism” has had different meanings, deriving from different historical circumstances. In its predominant modern sense it has been condemned as vicious, extolled as virtuous, and judged to be a quality potentially virtuous, but only in moderation. It is argued that, as most commonly understood by writers in this century, neither unrestricted patriotism, nor even moderate patriotism, is a virtue, but it is a socially pernicious vice, the more virulent for being associared with virtue.

A growing number of Roman Catholic ethicians employ an extended interpretation of the principle of totality to justify the self-mutilation involved in donating organs for transplantation. Ramsey has opposed this position as discordant with the demands of Christian agapism. McCormick has accused Ramsey of inconsistency in this connection. This article argues that, in a significantly typical way, McCormick seems unwittingly to beg certain essential questions both in his criticism of Ramsey and in his advocacy of the extended principle of totality.