...In Niccolo Machiavelli book The Prince he discusses and talks about many topics and problem that arise ruling an empire, throughout the book we see him look at other kings, emperors and Prince over time bring to light their flaws and also their good works as rulers of their people, and showing us how some worked if enforced, other worked naturally and some didn’t work at all. A few of the main themes in the book that Machiavelli points out are Political power, Warcraft, and the people. Political power, throughout the entirety of the book, Machiavelli shows us many different styles and strategies on how to control and expanded political power. The political man must know how and when to be dishonest and to be honest, looking for what the people wanted and what they needed, and seeing which one worked out better and which one was easier. Making sure you were friends with the right people, people that could keep them in power, help them in War times and to expand the empire and to protect it, but if it didn’t work out you destroy it before it’s...
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...opposing one another. Ultimately, whatever beliefs these schools of thought may hold, and whatever actions these beliefs may lead them and the state their purpose is to shape the state into what they believe is ideal and beneficial for all. Of the many ideologies which are followed by statesmen, varied they may be, the ultimate goal is to create a society according to their ideals. In this study we will be discussing two thinkers whose schools of thought have had a significant impact on political philosophy today. The first is Niccolo Machiavelli. A philosopher, politician, diplomat and historian whose works have made his name a by-word for pragmatism and ruthlessness not just in politics but in everyday life. His most famous work, the Prince, advocated the separation of personal morals to that of one’s political morals, and the emphasis not on ideology but on what would be the most beneficial course of action to take. Though criticized by many for the amorality his beliefs possess, his influence in political thought has affected other prominent philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, David Hume and Thomas Hobbes. The second is Lao Tzu. He was an ancient Chinese philosopher who founded the religion of Taoism, which emphasized living in harmony with the Tao, or...
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...Machiavelli’s The Prince and God’s Word both give advice on how to rule. Two main similarities between the two manuscripts are that a leader must be kind and that he should not abuse his power. In Machiavelli’s time, Italy was not a united country but was divided into multiple city-states. Attempting to help Italian rulers, he wrote his magnum opus The Prince. Machiavelli wrote that a leader needed to have a balance between clemency, or kindness, and cruelty. He knew that a ruler needed to be kind to earn the respect and love of his people, but not kind to the extent of becoming weak. He also knew that cruelty brought a respectful fear and obedience. Machiavelli’s ideal ruler should strive to be merciful and kind, Machiavelli taught...
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...[my grade]… ” (Machiavelli 3). The Machiavellian Code of Conduct is based upon The Prince, a controversial non-fiction written by Machiavelli in a desperate attempt to find a place of security within a new principality. To find this security, Machiavelli presents a plethora of crucial rules to the prince, leading the prince to believe that he is in need of...
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...return of the Medici’s family. This experience as top official of the Florentine Republic had obviously a huge impact on the development of both his later life, characterized by a succession of disgraces and stroked of bad luck, and his thought. Indeed, as Maurizio Viroli asserts, “Machiavelli considered himself to be an expert on a special art which we call statecraft and he called “arte dello stato”3. There is no denying that, if we look at most of his writings, we will realize that several concepts such as conflict and war play a central part in the system of thought developed by “Old Nick”, as he has less than affectionately been called. Therefore, can we say that Machiavelli is above all a theorist of the central role of military power and conflict, understood as a test in the existence of any form of government, no matter whether it is a republic or a...
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...Machiavelli’sThe Prince Niccolo Machiavelli lived in Florence, Italy in the 1400’s. The country of Italy was divided into city-states that had their own leaders, so it was a time where great leaders were needed in order to help the development of a city-state and country. Machiavelli had a theory that man needed a leader to control them. In his book The Prince, he speaks of the perfect leader, where he basically gives the reader a how-to guide to become a successful leader. However, to understand Machiavelli’s ideas, we need to know about his beliefs and background. When asking Machiavelli weather he believed man was born good or evil, he would say that man was naturally an evil being, one that needed control. Machiavelli seems to have the idea of preparing for the worst and thinking in terms of the worst. Only a person who thinks that man is evil would think of such ways to run a government in the way that Machiavelli thought a government should be run. Machiavelli illustrates several key points, that are necessary to take to become a "successful" ruler. He explains his ideas on taking over a "free" state or republic and how to conquer and rule with the peoples loyalty and respect. In chapter six, Machiavelli gives us some insight on what he feels leadership is. A leader who really wants to achieve glory, does so by his own means and talent. Chapter seven explains that a leader should not try to buy his subjects. If a prince buys his subjects they will only temporarily...
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...Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian politician, historian, and author of The Prince, a novel written in 1513 about the rise to political power and maintaining political power. Through Machiavelli’s text we gain insight to politics during the Renaissance and learn Machiavelli’s thoughts on what makes a good leader. Even though the book was written in specific after Machiavelli had been tortured for a week as a prisoner after the fall of the Florentine Republic, we still use The Prince as a foundation for political theory as the book transcends historical moments. By comparing The Prince to Jacob Burckhardt, analyzing Machiavelli’s principles, and looking into Machiavelli’s notion of virtù we are able to better comprehend the Italian Renaissance and how an article written for a specific historical moment can still be used as a political foundation. Jacob Burckhardt was a historian of art and culture and the author of, “The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy,” which laid the foundation for our understanding of the renaissance. Now how does that play into the text, The Prince? Burckhardt brought to light two main concepts that play defining roles in what we understand of the renaissance. The first of these two concepts is individuality. Up until the 14th century, at the beginning of the Italian Renaissance, people didn’t view themselves as individuals and therefore didn’t identify in an individualistic light. Before the Renaissance people always identified as a part of something...
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...Machiavelli’s as a Humanist: Examples and the Lesson He Learn Humanities 101 Strayer University Instructor: Professor Coppelli CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance received in its presentation is acknowledged and disclosed in the paper (with both in-text citations and a Works Cited sheet at the end of the essay). I have also cited any sources from which I used data, ideas, or words, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized. I also certify that this paper was prepared specifically for this course and has not been used for another course (and will not be) either in whole or substantial part. TYPE NAME AND DATE HERE: Power is defined as; a person, group, or nation having great influence or control over others; the might of a nation, political organization, or similar group and; forcefulness; effectiveness (Inc., 2011) . A humanist is defined as one who is concerned with the interests and welfare of humans (Inc., 2011). Niccolo’ Machiavelli sought after the power of politics because; he was constantly explaining to individual how to get power and how to hold on to it. He thought,” humanists suppose to believe that individual only grows to maturity, both intellectually and morally through participation in life of the state’ (Machiavelli, 1531, revised 1975, 1981, 1995, 1999). Everyone has their own opinions about him, and his way of life; depending on whom you speak with. His life has some examples...
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...leadership present in their countries through their writings led to tremendous political and religious advancements; through their analyses of legitimate rule in The Prince (Machiavelli), and On Christian Freedom and Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (Luther), Machiavelli essentially shaped modern political thought, and Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation that shocked Europe in the early 1500s. Though their responses were based on different groundwork, they each detected and sought to resolve their respective crises, and in doing so aligned their political theories. In analyzing the greatness of the two monumental European figures and their abilities to catalyze change in so many people, comparisons between the writings of both begin to emerge. In particular, Luther and Machiavelli shared innovative perspectives in their analyses on legitimate rule, and in doing so they revealed the pillars on which they built their cases: through their positions on human nature, independent free will, and the relationship between religion and government. It would be prudent to first provide the background upon which the two constructed their arguments. Machiavelli saw the crisis of leadership in his land of Italy upon witnessing the erosion of the once great Italian city-states as centers of European power. Machiavelli, once a...
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...Machiavelli Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, Niccolò Machiavelli was a diplomat for 14 years in Italy's Florentine Republic during the Medici family's exile. When the Medici family came back to power in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed and briefly imprisoned. Machiavelli as an individual has been described as aloof, as standing to one side of life ‘with a sarcastic expression continually playing around his mouth and winking from his eyes’. This report is based on Machiavelli’s most famous work, The Prince, which was written in 1513-14. While The Prince was not the foremost book of this kind, it was the first to propose a government that dominates with no respect for religious belief or morality. Machiavelli did not particularly pay heed to religious law in the manner he lived his life, but he likewise did not particularly care for the Catholic Church of the time because of the lack of ethics demonstrated by the Pope's and other supposedly "religious men's" actions at the time. The Prince, a handbook for politicians on the employment of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term "Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory."(History.com) There are many types of leaderships that after being present over the centuries. Leadership styles have developed over time, with a prominent shift from the autocratic and directive leadership in the twentieth century to a more participative and democratic style of the younger generation...
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...Virtù in The Prince In The Prince, Machiavelli’s concept of virtue is different from the modern connotations of the word, which is indicative of moral excellence. In the text the word in the original translation is virtù from the Latin virtus, which carries broad connotations of valor, excellence, character and worth. The classical concept of ‘civic virtue’ as put forward by philosophers such as Aristotle as a moral code applicable to both rulers and subjects, contrasts with Machiavelli’s concept of virtù, which is applicable to rulers of state. Machiavelli’s virtù is ‘political virtue’, that is virtue defined both within and by politics. Political virtue consists of knowing how to make use of an art or skill to advance in the world. It is this idea that he puts forth, the ability of a ruler to do whatever must be done in order to achieve success, for it is the successful ruler who is the virtuous one. In Chapter VI, Machiavelli extols the virtues of ‘remarkable men’, specifically those of Cyrus, Romulus and Theseus. Men he believes to fully embrace the idea of virtù. Though each man individually faced his own hurdles to overcome, such as Romulus who if not abandoned at birth, would not have wanted to become King of Rome. Despite their luck or fortuna it was their virtù that gave them the ability to overcome and use their adversities, like Cyrus using the ‘Persians discontented under the rule of the Medes’. For as Machiavelli states: “If their deeds and careers are examined...
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...Neil Adams Professor Cara Chang Humanities 300 07 September 2012 Exploring The Major Themes of Machiavelli's "The Prince" To find out what motivated Machiavelli to write “The Prince”, it is necessary to look at the Italy that he lived in at the time and where he gained his insights into governance. He grew up in a time where Popes had their own armies and went to war with Italian city-states in hopes of gaining more territory. Power held by the rulers was tumultuous at best; people and cities might fall at any time. The Popes weren’t the only forces that major cities such as Venice and Florence had to deal with. Foreign countries such as France, Spain, the Catholic Church, and Switzerland also were engaged in battles for control and influence in the region. Most of these major cities relied heavily upon mercenaries to help fight their battles. These Condottieri, or mercenary leaders, were very fickle and changed sides without warning which made political and military alliances very weak, which in turn made Italy as a whole weak ("Niccolò Machiavelli"). Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, was a founder of modern political science who lived in Florence during the Renaissance period. He was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy. Niccolò was the first son and third child of attorney, Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, and his wife, Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli. At a young age became a pupil of a renowned Latin teacher, Paolo da Ronciglione, where he was taught history...
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...In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli outlines the specific paths that any new or aspiring prince must take in order to be a successful juxtaposition leader. Since he naturally provides numerous historical examples for both successful and unsuccessful approaches, their is perhaps the most effective rhetorical strategy on display in this text. As such, it is only logical that we examine the most successful example of a prince, that being Ferdinand of Aragon, so as to illuminate Machiavelli’s argument in greater detail. The most striking element of Ferdinand’s success seems to be the successful management of time. That is, Ferdinand seems to appreciate the role that management of time plays in general distraction, and in quelling any potential...
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...NT1 The Prince: Machiavelli’s Methodology on Leadership Niccolo Machiavelli, the first modern thinker, dedicated The Prince to Lorenzo De Medici and the De Medici family as a “how to guide” on becoming a successful ruler and more importantly, how not to be a successful ruler. As in any philosopher’s works, there are many components that are comprised into one common theme. Machiavelli presents a strong methodology and main concept which is to act in your own self-interest if you want to become a leader, and to do so by any means necessary. In The Price, one of his most famous works, Machiavelli establishes his leadership guidelines on specific categories such as virtue, goodwill, hatred, and reputation, just to name a few. Machiavelli’s goal in The Prince is to distinguish why human nature is the leading cause of a princes’ ultimate success or failure. Machiavelli strongly feels that the idea of politics is not a natural, innate part of humankind. It is crucial for a prince to reflect on the actions of great men that came before him and the history surrounding them. Within the text, Machiavelli does not focus on unity nor does he focus on the virtuous soul. He strictly concentrates on consequences because they are facts which we can verify. Due to this belief, Machiavelli’s ideas represent the consequentialist approach to morality. Meaning, consequences are driven purely by an individual’s actions. Therefore, the means by which individuals go about taking those actions...
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...In keeping with the themes of the Renaissance, Machiavelli recommended that a prince appear outwardly to be a shining example of virtue; that he was, in fact a deceitful and ruthless creature of vice ought to be carefully concealed. The Prince demonstrate roots in the fundamental principles of humanism however it explores humanist ideals as a tool to keep power rather than as a virtue in their own right. However when considering Machiavelli’s life and circumstances in addition to humanist ethics, the concepts expressed in The Prince can be easily explained. Machiavelli’s advice on how a prince should strive to appear to his subjects aligns almost perfectly with humanist values. In theory humanists placed importance on individual virtue and betterment, but oftentimes the mere appearance of such qualities was the true desire. The Book of the Courtier and The Prince are both books about power dynamics in Renaissance Italy. One focuses almost entirely on gaining power while the other is largely about maintaining it, but their basic ideas about the appearance which one must keep were the eerily similar. If a courtier was not a good writer he should “take pains to suppress his work, to avoid...
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