Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Cecilia Bembibre, in Jul. 2009
The concept of loyalty has to do with the existence of feelings of pure devotion, commitment and confidence towards another, it can be a person, a community, a government, an authority or an animal, among others.
Loyalty, then, can also be felt towards abstract and not just physical entities, such as a nation, a institution or one ideology and in all these cases it becomes visible through the defense of the ideals that these entities represent. Loyalty is also considered one of the most sincere and honorable virtues that the human being (although not exclusively him) can feel. And for example, the person who is known to have this quality will be exalted above others.
As the lack of loyalty or disloyalty in the whole world and against various objects and subjects is a recurring act, the virtue of loyalty is recognized so much in the one who possesses it.
When we speak of loyalty, we can define it as a physical and mental feeling towards another. Understood in this sense, loyalty can be experienced not only by humans but also by animals (with canine, feline, and equine loyalties perhaps the most popular of all). The dog and the domestic cat and the
horse Without a doubt, they are considered the animals that best relate to humans and this is demonstrated in the bond that they have known how to build throughout history and that has even shown that they are capable of giving their lives for their owners.However, when we speak of loyalty as an abstract notion of commitment to certain moral values and ethical, we must limit it to the human being. This is where loyalty is transformed into a human virtue that aims to facilitate the establishment of deep bonds of love, solidarity and affection between the individuals that form a community.
At the same time, we can also refer to loyalty as a characteristic that implies a certain social hierarchy. Loyalty is something that many groups or individuals must develop towards those who are understood as authorities, turning on numerous occasions into a type of coercive loyalty. In this sense, loyalty has more to do with respect for social differentiation, or with the authority that someone knows they have, than with the feeling of each individual as a person.
Finally, loyalty is undoubtedly one of the most important elements on a social level today since it is through it that human beings can trust another. This trust and loyalty towards a common goal is the basis of all social and cultural organizations in which goals are shared by all members.
The recurrent and common link with patriotism
Patriotism is a very common feeling of humanity and it has to do with the deep and unconditional love that someone has for his country, for his homeland; the patriot loves his country above all things and always strives for its welfare. Values, culture, affections, traditions and history are some of the factors that contribute to the establishment of the bond between the individual and his homeland. And it is precisely in that strong union, respect and fidelity to the aforementioned issues that there is that unequivocal and strong relationship between the words patriotism and loyalty.
On the other hand, it should be noted that loyalty to the homeland is a feeling that many countries try to awaken and strengthen in their smallest exponents and that is why in the programs educational institutions include the celebration of a formal act called the swearing in to the flag in which it is precisely intended to promote a feeling of belonging and total commitment to the homeland.
Meanwhile, it is an extremely common question that the concepts of patriotism and loyalty are identified and even used interchangeably. In our language, by the way, both terms are used synonymously.
The other side of loyalty is worth noting that it is the treason and that as such supposes the violation of that commitment made with someone or something.
In the plane interpersonal betrayal usually triggers deep sadness and anguish in those who are the object of it and it that person can trust the one who betrayed them again since her trust has been seriously resentful.
Also in the workplace, for example, betrayal is considered one of the worst and most reprehensible actions that someone can develop since Whoever betrays the company in which she works, disclosing certain information sensitive to competition, will be damaging the continuity of the herself. Labor betrayals are often linked to some dissatisfaction on the part of the employee.
Loyalty Topics