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Aristotle Vs Machiavelli

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What does it mean for one to have an end goal in mind with a strong desire to achieve that goal? Does the end justify the means in every case, every time? These rhetorical questions are asked up front in this paper to elicit an effect on the audience. While there are two worthwhile viewpoints on the subject, the outcome of this specific paper goes down the path of no, the ends to not justify the means—and is simply based on good versus evil, and the end must always be morally justified. When one determines whether the measures taken to meet the end goal are justified, they must start by gaining a solid understanding of the argument. Listening to the facts and answering ‘Why,’ Who’, ‘What,’ and ‘How’ will undeniably make an impact …show more content…
Aristotle, from Greece, and Machiavelli from Europe in which that influence still holds true in today’s context. They were of the same mind and opinion regarding politics, yet their philosophies could not be further apart. For example, they agreed on three forms of government and that corruption could seep in. Interestingly, they both defended good leaders who put their people first and defended laws, ultimately protecting the common good of the people. They begin to separate on government views as Machiavelli believed that government should be ruled by a single individual, and the government-led people should be left alone—so as not to interfere with the ruler concerned with his own power. Aristotle, while also defending leaders who safeguarded the law, on the other hand was a proponent of the servant-leader. Servant leadership is both a leadership philosophy and set of leadership practices where power is shared, putting the needs of the people first.
Aristotle and Machiavelli are put into context in The Prudent Politician: An Extension Of Aristotle's Ethical Theory. Machiavelli is of the notion that man’s well-being depends on his willingness to adapt to certain situations, and to commit an act of evil if the situation calls for it. Conversely, Aristotle looks at the prudence in politics to assess the results of an action—that it requires actually doing good (Moskop, W., 1985 p

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