Niccolo machiavelli philosophy. Machiavelli, Niccolò 2022-12-26

Niccolo machiavelli philosophy Rating: 5,9/10 1073 reviews

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer who is best known for his political treatise "The Prince," published in 1532. In this work, Machiavelli presents a philosophy of politics that centers on the idea of power and the acquisition and maintenance of it.

Machiavelli's philosophy was shaped by his experiences as a diplomat in the service of the Republic of Florence. He was witness to the tumultuous political landscape of Renaissance Italy, where city-states were constantly vying for power and influence. In this environment, Machiavelli saw firsthand the importance of strong leadership and the need for rulers to be willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their power.

One of the key principles of Machiavelli's philosophy is the idea that the ends justify the means. In other words, he believed that a ruler's actions should be guided by what is necessary to achieve the desired result, rather than by moral or ethical considerations. This idea is reflected in the famous quote from "The Prince," in which Machiavelli wrote that "it is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

Machiavelli also believed in the importance of maintaining a strong military and being prepared for war. He argued that a ruler who is not willing to use force to defend their interests is not a true leader, and that a strong military is necessary to protect a state's sovereignty.

Another aspect of Machiavelli's philosophy is his view of human nature. He believed that people are naturally selfish and driven by their own interests, and that rulers must understand this in order to effectively govern. He argued that rulers should not try to appeal to people's better nature, but rather should use fear and rewards to motivate and control them.

Overall, Machiavelli's philosophy can be seen as a pragmatic approach to politics that emphasizes the importance of power and the need for strong leadership in order to maintain it. While his ideas have been controversial and have been interpreted in many different ways, they continue to be influential in political thought to this day.

End justifies the Means in Machiavelli's Philosophy

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

Was Machiavelli an atheist? This disorder, if it produces some quiet times, is in time the cause of straitened circumstances, damage and irreparable ruin Discourses CW 410. Those interested in this question may find it helpful to begin with the following passages: P 6, 7, 11, 17, 19, 23, and 26; D 1. But, again, nuances and context may be important. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998. On the flip side, if the leader is thought of as compassionate, peaceful, tolerant and generous, that leader risks losing his power.

Next

Machiavelli, The Prince

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

Indeed, the very list of these successors reads almost as if it were the history of modern political philosophy itself. You must know, then, that there are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts; but as the first method is often insufficient, one must have recourse to the second. I am the founder and main contributor at "The Quintessential Mind" - A unique personal blog that offers a holistic approach to self-development. Cruelty cultivates hatred and fear, the very same traits that Machiavelli tells the prince to be wary of. Nowhere does this come out more clearly than in his treatment of the relationship between law and force. There Machiavelli reports a view that he says is widely held in his day: the belief that our lives are fated or determined to such an extent that it does not matter what we choose to do.

Next

Niccolo Machiavelli

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

Prince's Ideas It is claimed that Machiavelli believed in "End Justifies Means". The revival of Greek learning in the Italian Renaissance did not change this concern and in fact even amplified it. During his time as the chancellor of the Procuratori delle Mura, Machiavelli supervised the construction of a number of defensive fortifications around Florence. In France, the people are entirely passive and the nobility is largely dependent upon the king, according to Machiavelli's own observations. Commentaries on Plato, Volume 2, Part 1, ed. He was the founder of modern political science, and more specifically political ethics. In 1520, Machiavelli published the Art of War, the only major prose work he would publish during his lifetime.

Next

Machiavelli, Niccolò

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

Hobbes was scared of the outcome of the social contract which meant people could get rid of the government if they were unhappy with what they were getting. Additionally, recent work has explored the extent to which Machiavelli engaged with the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Fourthly, by acquiring such power before the pope died as to be able to resist alone the first onslaught. A large body of extant letters, dispatches, and occasional writings testify to his political assignments as well as to his acute talent for the analysis of personalities and institutions. So why the low reputation? Humanly behaves according to aversion and appetite.

Next

Philanthropy and Philosophy

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

Human beings deceive themselves in pleasure P 23. And as I know that many have written of this, I fear that my writing about it may be deemed presumptuous, differing as I do, especially in this matter, from the opinions of others. According to him, the Republic is the ideal form of government, but it can only exist if the people are moral. As a result, rather than being concerned with moral norms of behavior, a Prince should be concerned with sustaining and maintaining his state. Other possibilities include women who operate more indirectly, such Epicharis and Marcia—the respective mistresses of Nero and Commodus D 3.

Next

A Guide to Machiavelli's Political Philosophy

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

It was probably written in 1519. Against Throne and Altar: Machiavelli and Political Theory under the English Republic. But surely here Machiavelli is encouraging, even imploring us to ask whether it might not be true. I would even be bold to say that to possess them and to always observe them is dangerous, but to appear to possess them is useful. Rousseau has also said that Machiavelli's ideas, according to his two writings, are contradictory. Most importantly, he composed his other major contribution to political thought, the Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy, an exposition of the principles of republican rule masquerading as a commentary on the work of the famous historian of the Roman Republic.

Next

Niccolò Machiavelli

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

The dominions thus acquired have either been previously accustomed to the rule of another prince, or else have been free states, and they are annexed either by force of arms of the prince, or of others, or else fall to him by good fortune or merit. The humors are also related to the second implication mentioned above. In the first place, he saw no way of making him ruler of any state that was not a possession of the Church. Long Grove: Waveland Press, 1981. For these reasons the duke ought above all things to have created a Spaniard pope; and if unable to, then he should have consented to Rohan being appointed and not San Pietro ad Vincula. I ought to have little trouble in proving this, since the ruin of Italy is now caused by nothing else but through her having relied for many years on mercenary arms. If it is said that Cæsar attained the empire through liberality, and that many others have reached the highest positions through being liberal or being thought so, I would reply that you are either a prince already or else on the way to become one.

Next

Niccolo Machiavelli's Political Philosophy

niccolo machiavelli philosophy

Evidence suggests that manuscript copies were circulating by 1530 and perhaps earlier. And although he was twice beaten by the Carthaginians and ultimately besieged, he was able not only to defend the city, but leaving a portion of his forces for its defence, with the remainder he invaded Africa, and in a short time liberated Syracuse from the siege and brought the Carthaginians to great extremities, so that they were obliged to come to terms with him, and remain contented with the possession of Africa, leaving Sicily to Agathocles. The duke being now powerful and partly secured against present perils, being armed himself, and having in a great measure put down those neighbouring forces which might injure him, had now to get the respect of France, if he wished to proceed with his acquisitions, for he knew that the king, who had lately discovered his error, would not give him any help. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. In 1522, Piero Soderini died in Rome. The lines between these two forms are heavily blurred; the Roman republic is a model for wise princes P 3 , and the people can be considered a prince D 1.

Next