Machiavelli s Machiavelli - 2270 Words

Machiavelli is often viewed as an amoralist. Is this a correct analysis of Machiavelli? Why/why not? In your answer, be clear about what you mean by ‘amoralist’. If you think he is not an amoralist, how are moral assumptions or claims evident in what he writes; and does this undermine his position? Why/why not? If you think he is an amoralist, how does this show in his text; and does this make some of his arguments or claims defective or challengeable? Why/why not? Machiavelli should not be considered an amoralist, for reasons I will be discussing hereafter. Firstly, I shall very clearly outline what I consider ‘amoralist’ to constitute. Then, I will argue that Machiavelli is not an amoralist because he is merely advocating for an effective ruler. This requires the ruler, or ‘the Prince’, to cede his presupposed moral values, and transcend the normal expectation of humanity, to an amoral existence. I argue that Machiavelli himself, is moral, in that he is encouraging how a Price should behave, in order to be an effective ruler, which achieves the greater good. The Prince, however, is amoral. Because, as Machiavelli describes it, this world is not idealistic, and politics has no room for morality to be considered. Before I consider why Machiavelli should be considered moral, I will first define what is to be understood as ‘amoral’ and ‘moral’. I will then describe the situation Machiavelli was responding to, by giving some insight as to how and why Machiavelli constructedShow MoreRelatedThe Machiavelli And Machiavelli s The Prince2348 Words   |  10 PagesI have always found great interest in the infamous Niccolo Machiavelli and his ways of thinking; my eye was drawn to him long before I knew I would be studying at Colorado State and even before I had any interest in politics. It was from young man know as Tupac Shakur, and let me tell you it is great to finally understand who Machiavelli is and the things he has done for the outlook on politics after hearing about how much respect and praise he got from the iconic rapper of the 1990s. In this paperRead MoreThe Relationship Between Machiavelli And Machiavelli s The Prince1075 Words   |  5 Pagesand turmoil, philo sophers are able to give their critiques on government and human nature as a whole. Socrates and Machiavelli, both philosophers in what it means to be a proper leader and the role of the people within a society, share contrasting views. Machiavelli, alive during the time of great political turmoil in Italy, is immortalized through his writings in The Prince. Machiavelli was able to use what the political shortcomings he witnesses during his time period as a guide to deciphering theRead MoreThe Prince Of Machiavelli s Prince1186 Words   |  5 Pagesposition that Machiavelli strongly suggest that all Princes should have. Although, there are infinite examples showing Putin acting similar to Machiavelli’s Prince throughout the years, the current interaction between Syria and Russia exemplifies Putin’s similarity to Machiavelli’s Prince. In the interaction between Russia and Syria, Putin mostly resembles the trait of the Prince that Machiavelli describe in chapters 14, 18, and 21 In chapter 14 of Machiavelli’s The Prince Machiavelli explains howRead MoreNiccolo Machiavelli s The Prince1699 Words   |  7 Pagespower. This popular depiction is due to Niccolo Machiavelli’s harsh portrayal of the interlaced relationship between power and politics in his treatise, The Prince. Machiavelli begins his work by contending that it is â€Å"more effective† to reveal the â€Å"practical truth of a subject† rather than â€Å"depend on [his] fancies for it†(Machiavelli 2524). His rejection of idealism and focus on realism impels him to claim that a ruler has to be acquainted with and effectively use both virtue and vice to wield powerRead MoreMachiavelli s On Human Nature1531 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli on Human Nature Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes were two modern political theorists who presented new ideas about political organization in the 16th and 17th century. While Machiavelli focused his written works on ideas related to effective governance, Hobbes attempts to explain the necessity of establishing a ruler to maintain peace and stability. Although Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes focused on different aspects of political theory, both thinkers addressed the conceptRead MoreAnalysis of Machiavelli ´s The Prince605 Words   |  2 PagesThe great philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, having such beliefs, puts to rest man’s downfall and presents that way to preservation in his book The Prince, which produces an effective guide for political action based off of his own philosophical beliefs and history’s past. The Prince rest on the principle that, above all, the foundation for a ruler’s success is within verita effettuale—or, the effectiveness of a princeâ €™s rule. Machiavelli urges rulers to focus on acting in ways that will result inRead MoreAnalysis Of Nicolo Machiavelli s The Prince1536 Words   |  7 Pageswould make a leader successful in Machiavelli’s eyes. Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli implies that an individual with good morals will not obtain power, but rather that an individual who obtains power is assumed as morally upright by the people. One may wonder how a man whose reputation was a worshipper of the devil can have a profound impact on the individuals who live in this current generation; in this text, Machiavelli gives readers his advice on how to rise to power using history as evidenceRead MoreMachiavelli s The Prince Is Call A Classic1248 Words   |  5 Pages Machiavelli The Prince is call a classic. In today’s contemporary society I believe that some of Machiavelli advice would be relevant. His first piece of advice was teaching us how having knowledge in the military is an important quality that a prince can achieve. Second a person should be a true friend and a true enemy. Thirdly Machiavelli says do not be generous with your money, you’ll just have to tax harder and you’ll lose the support of your citizens. Fourthly in order for a prince to keepRead MoreComparing Nicolo Machiavelli s The Prince1014 Words   |  5 PagesWhile the human race is incredibly diverse and expansive, many writers and philosophers work to find common characteristics that they can attribute to what is typically referred to as human nature. Nicolo Machiavelli provides his beliefs on human nature in his text, The Prince. While this work mostly surrounds the proper way to lead a princedom, there are many parts of the text that show how human nature affects the way a prince should rule his people. The examples of princes having to work aroundRead More Machiavelli?s View Of Human Nature Essay1060 Words   |  5 PagesMachiavelli’s view of human nature. Machiavelli has long been required reading for everyone intrested in politics and power. In The Prince Niccolo M achiavelli presents a unique view on governing a state. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the only authority that should determine every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. These interests were gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. (Machiavelli,5). His understanding of human