Machiavelli and Morality Essay - 1561 Words

When reading Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince, one cant help but grasp Machiavellis argument that morality and politics can not exist in the same forum. However, when examining Machiavellis various concepts in depth, one can conclude that perhaps his suggested violence and evil is fueled by a moral end of sorts. First and foremost, one must have the understanding that this book is aimed solely at the Prince or Emperor with the express purpose of aiding him in maintaining power. Therefore, it is essential to grasp his concepts of fortune and virtue. These two contrary concepts reflect the manner in which a Prince should govern while minimizing all chance and uncertainty. This kind of governing demands violence to be taken, however†¦show more content†¦Machiavelli ties virtue very closely to that of prudence. He defines virtue as acting exceptionally and draws a distinction between morality and virtue. In many respects Machiavelli defines virtue by prudence. If a ruler i s able to balance his violence, keep his subjects appeased, and have a dire understanding of his threats, then in Machiavellis eyes the ruler has a strong virtue. What must be understood is that the throne is always in jeopardy and someone is always there to try to knock the prince off his pedestal. This is a prime understanding that a prince must have, and fuels the infamous argument by Machiavelli that it is better to be feared than loved. Machiavelli explains that, for the most part, love is very subjective and eventually will subside unless further concessions are made to appease his subjects. In addition, people only care about their personal conveniences and a prince would have to overextend himself if he were to be loved by all. Fear, however, is not subjective and has a universal effect on all his people. Fear can be attained by sporadic violent acts. One must understand, however, that massive amounts of violence can not be done because it would portray the Prince as tyrant, and might stir up his people to revolt against him. The acts must be calculated, concise, and serve a direct purpose not only to his benefit but to theShow MoreRelatedMorality Vs Machiavelli1161 Words   |  5 PagesSocrates, however, asserts the importance of morality and ethics in a ruler, and argues that soul craft is ideal for an effective leader. Socrates contends, â€Å"Wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth and every other blessing, both to the individual and the state† (Apology, 30b). Indeed, in opposition to Machiavelli, Socrates asserts that following one’s intuition and making decisions based on â€Å"goodness† will never lead a ruler and his state astray. Additionally, Socrates emphasizesRead MoreEssay about Machiavelli And Morality1546 Words   |  7 Pages When reading Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, one can’t help but grasp Machiavelli’s argument that morality and politics can not exist in the same forum. However, when examining Machiavelli’s various concepts in depth, one can conclude that perhaps his suggested violence and evil is fueled by a moral end of sorts. First and foremost, one must have the understanding that this book is aimed solely at the Prince or Emperor with the express purpose of aiding him in maintaining power. Therefore, itRead MoreEssay about Morality: Comparing Hobbes and Machiavelli1203 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the main premises of Leviathan and The Prince is morality. Where morality comes from, how it affects people under a political structure and how human nature contributes or doesn’t to morality. Hobbes and Machiavelli differ widely on each subject. Machiavelli’s views on morality, based upon a literal interpretation of the satire The Prince, is very much a practical and realistic approach to the nature of morality and human nature. Hobbes’ views, based in Leviathan, are of a more idealisticRead MoreEssay on Mac hiavellis The Prince: Politics, War, and Human Nature1334 Words   |  6 Pagesthe man. (Machiavelli, The Prince, p. 69[1]). In this swift blow, Niccolà ² Machiavelli seems to strike down many visions of morality put up on pedestals by thinkers before his time. He doesnt turn to God or to some sort of common good for his political morality. Instead, he turns to the individual?more specifically, self-preservation in a position of power. Machiavellis vision rules out the possibility of a higher political authority if higher is meant to say that the morality comes fromRead MoreThe Prince Machiavelli Analysis1490 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout The Prince, Machiavelli advocates for the use of force to achieve the Prince’s goals. However, these acts are justified because they are done to benefit the state. Moreover, Machiavelli’s political philosophy repetitively stresses the fact that the Prince should not act in a way as to cause hatred. In this, constant cruelty i s inappropriate and unjustifiable because it provokes contempt towards the ruler. In The Prince, Machiavelli discerns that good acts of cruelties â€Å"are carried outRead MoreBooks That Continue To Thrive Centuries After Their Initial1578 Words   |  7 Pagescases, controversy. In the 15th century, Niccolo Machiavelli composed a political treatise that has persisted primarily due to the questionable morality and brutal practices it promotes. Readers have spent centuries wrestling with this small but powerful book, trying to discern Machiavelli’s purpose, as well as how his writing has influenced political leaders since its publication. With a political background during a time of unrest in Italy, Machiavelli wrote with expertise and knowledge, having seenRead MorePolitical Action and Morality in Machiavellian Times1232 Words   |  5 Pagesperhaps the most controversial philosopher of his age, Niccolà ² Machiavelli. The Florentine politician, known most famously for his work, The Prince, discusses, among other things, the relationship between morality and political action. However, unlike the vast majority of his European predecessors, who often argued that political power should be in the hands of the morally virtuous ruler, Machiavelli produces a contrary argument, in which morality plays no role in judging the difference between legitimateRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Julius Caesar Essay1609 Words   |  7 Pagesleader, Mark Antony, is more accurately explained using the observations of Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince. In this book Machiavelli outlines the characteristics of a successful leader. When using The Prince as a lens to read Julius Caesar, the correlation between a leader’s Machiavellianism and their success becomes very apparent. Marcus Brutus is undoubtedly an honorable and respectable man, but his morality prevents him from adhering to Machiavelli’s principles. Due to his lack of princelyRead MoreSocrates And Machiavelli1660 Words   |  7 PagesThe works of Socrates and Machiavelli are as polarized as the phrases â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† and â€Å"the ends justify the means.† The Prince by Machiavelli and The Last Days of Socrates by Plato are both crucial texts to the discussion of what makes a good political leader. Well, what makes a good political leader? Socrates would disagree with Machiavelli’s ideation of the Prince because of the immorality that he allows this model to have in the public sphere. However, Socrates wouldRead MoreAdolf Hitler to Machiavellis The Prince1671 Words   |  7 PagesWhen Machiavelli wrote The Prince in the 1500s, his intentions did not apply to the twentieth century. Some very important figures of the twentieth century used basic ideals from The Prince to obtain and maintain their position in power. One of these individuals was Adolf Hitler. Hitler used numerous Machiavellian ideas to win his respective place in Germanys government. The two most important Machiavellian principles that Hitler used were winning the people and how he dealt with cruelty and