The dominant intellectual currents in the Middle East over the past century have largely centered on three elements: nationality, religion, and leftist collectivism, while comprehensive and integrative paradigms have remained weak. These currents, due to their straightforward nature and the provision of exclusionary or transformative models, have been widely embraced by the masses and political movements, shaping practical trends. National territory has been their central focus, making the Middle East unparalleled in the multiplicity and persistence of territorial and border disputes.
Nevertheless, a long-standing intellectual current has existed in the region, adopting a civilizational and inclusive perspective and emphasizing elements of patriotism worthy of attention. This article identifies and explicates the model of “patriotism as a civilizational duty” by systematically analyzing the relationship among ethics, rationality, and national commitment in Mohammad-Ali Foroughi’s works. The central question is how loyalty to one’s homeland can be framed not merely as an emotional or political obligation but as an ethical and cultural duty compatible with universal moral principles. Foroughi’s tripartite conception of patriotism produces an ethical–civilizational model grounded in rationality, culture, and the common good. This model mediates between the extremes of nationalism and internationalism, offering a path for the coexistence of national identity and global responsibility. Findings indicate that, from Foroughi’s perspective, patriotism is not mere attachment but a commitment to safeguarding rationality, language, and culture as foundational elements of civilization, providing a basis for rethinking contemporary notions of patriotism.=