Comparing Machiavelli, Hobbes And Pico Della Mirandola

In the 15th and 16th centuries AD, philosophers emerged in Europe who were more secular than their medieval counterparts. Three of these philosophers were Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, and Pico della Mirandola, each of whom had unique ideas about human nature, and the source of people’s joy and sorrow. Machiavelli and Hobbes were both critical of human nature, each proposing their own solution to the flaws they saw in their society, while Mirandola praised humanity’s potential. Niccolò Machiavelli was a political philosopher who lived in Florence, Italy during the Rennaisance. While in exile, and hoping for political employment, he wrote The Prince, in which he claimed that humans, inherently corrupt, must be ruled by a prince who prioritizes effective government over morality and ethics. Watching his home of Italy falling into disarray under weak and divided government, Machiavelli criticized Christian ideals of princes by claiming that “one who abandons what is done for what ought to be done” is welcoming destruction. Examples of his rejection of Christian values in favor of necessary political policies are his instruction that it is “safer to be feared than loved,” and his advice that a leader (in his case a prince) skilled in deceit will “always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.” His …show more content…
Each philosopher’s view is representative of their own circumstances; Mirandola’s optimism emerged from his flourishing society and successful life, while Machiavelli and Hobbes, living in a state of war and chaos, were pessimistic in their views of