Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What is Machiavelli’s main question?
|
What course will save the life and liberty of the country?
|
|
|
The Renaissance experienced a significant shift from questions about the Good to humanism. What is one of the main concerns of humanism?
|
• Individual over the group
• Displacing God as the center of the universe. Replace God with man. • Replace theology with philosophy • Preeminence of scientific discovery • Control nature (class notes) |
|
|
For Machiavelli, what is the realm of politics? In other words, what is politics’ main concern?
|
Constant readiness for war: “A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, not take up any other thing for his study, but war and its organization and discipline, for that is the only art necessary to who commands …” Ebenstein p. 291.
In other words, politics is about power. |
|
|
What’s Machiavaelli’s problem with a Christian worldview as it relates to politics?
|
It does not equip the Prince to be effective: “A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it, according to the necessity of the case. Ebenstein, p. 292.
|
|
|
What is the role of religion in Machiavelli’s political thought?
|
It is merely a tool of influence and control
|
|
|
What is Machiavelli’s view of human nature?
|
Pessimistic.
|
|
|
What kind of reputation should the Prince strive for?
|
He wants to be known as capable and competent: He who is capable will not be despised. Nothing is more despicable than a changeable, frivolous, effeminate, timid, and irresolute prince (p. 296). Be manly => Roman notion of virtue (vir)
|
|
|
Are there any methods that the Prince should not use?
|
No, the ends justify the means; however, be careful. It is important to have the appearance of propriety. This is an acknowledgement of the traditional mores of the citizenry (pp. 295-296).
|
|
|
Who is the bulwark against conspiracies?
|
○ The people are the bulwark against conspiracies. Keep the people on your side.
|
|
|
T/F. A well-governed kingdom is one where good institutions depend on the liberty and security of the people. Explain.
|
A well-governed kingdom is one where good institutions depend on the liberty and security of the king => the good of the state is tied directly to the good of the ruler, p. 297.
|
