• Home Page
  • Political Criticism Of Machiavelli

Political Criticism Of Machiavelli

Superior Essays
Show More
Early Greek philosophers influenced many western philosophers. Many people would like to argue that Machiavelli was influenced by Plato although he appeared to divide himself away from Plato’s views. Machiavelli is mainly acknowledged by his book “The Prince.” “The Prince” is based on Machiavelli’s philosophies about how princes, leaders, rulers, or etc might obtain and maintain power in order to keep authority over their citizens. Machiavelli is staunch when it comes to order. He stresses order throughout the book. Machiavelli had prior knowledge and understood politics and how to acquire power. Machiavelli is considered a changeover or transitional philosopher because his ideology is different from the ancient philosophers. Machiavelli did …show more content…
Unlike the ancients, Machiavelli did not construct his principles on how the world or government “ought to be.” In this paper I will provide an account of Machiavelli’s critique of the ancient political theorist and how he utilizes the notion of fortune in that critique.
In Chapter 15 of “The Prince” the conversation of how princes should be toward his “subjects and friends.” He gives reference that many people have given their advice on this subject, but his intentions are not to be “presumptuous.” For his only intent is to construct philosophy for whoever can understand it. Machiavelli states, “…it has appeared to me more fitting to go directly to the effectual truth of the thing than to the imagination of it. And many have imagined republics and principalities that have never been seen or known to exist in live…” (Machiavelli, 15). In this quote Machiavelli indirectly calls out the ancient political theorist. Many of the ancient theorist composed philosophy on how the world ought to be and how to be virtuous and obtain justice. Plato, similarly to the other Greek philosophers, believed that power is rooted in virtues and character. Plato believed the polis is to support …show more content…
In order to have success fortune and virtu must coexist. You cannot have success in the absence of the other. What is fortune and virtu? Fortune simply means luck, chance, or whatever you would like to reference it as. Machiavelli’s concept of fortune in “The Prince” is chiefly described to the randomness of fate. He exhibits many accounts in which opportunity, luck, and chance may have the ability to encourage the destiny of life. Fortune is metaphorically compared to a “woman” and a “violent river.” Machiavelli states in the last paragraph of chapter 25 that men are happy when fortune is complying with their method of doing things, but the instant fortune and their methods disharmonize they are unhappy. Machiavelli precisely states, “I judge this indeed, that is better to be impetuous than cautious, because fortune is a woman; and it is necessary, if one wants to hold her down, to beat her and strike her down” (Machiavelli, 1537). My interpretation of this is that it is reasonable to be impulsive because fortune is like an indecisive woman, constantly changing not knowing what way it wants to turn. The importance in the coexistence of virtu and fortune arises at the end of the quote metaphorically described to the “beating of the woman.” Since fortune is considered a woman virtu can be referenced to a male in my opinion. Virtu exists as motivation, strength, skill, prowess,

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Similarities Between Socrates And Machiavelli In The Prince And The Same Prince
    • 1534 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Similarities Between Socrates And Machiavelli In The Prince And The Same Prince

    If you do this, I shall have justice at your hands – I and my children,” (Apology, 41e). On the other hand, Machiavelli would not want to live an examined life because his stealthy ways could be exposed and cause uproar from constituents. Additionally, Machiavelli would have thought the rulers during Socrates’ time were just in sentencing Socrates to death because killing exhibits the power of a state. Machiavelli believes that politicians must get their hands dirty and that doing good is not necessarily being good. For example, a political leader can be doing something good by feeding the poor, but if that does not benefit that state, then he is not being a good political leader.…

    • 1534 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Machiavelli Rhetorical Analysis
    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Machiavelli Rhetorical Analysis

    He raises the question of whether it is better for a leader to be loved or feared by the public. He answers with the statement, “The reply is, that one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it is much safer to be feared than loved, if one of the two has to be wanting” (69). Machiavelli backs up this statement by saying that a leader who is feared can make decisions and execute orders much more effectively. He thinks a prince should be trusting to a certain degree, but should always be prepared for disaster, saying, “And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined…” (69). Machiavelli’s thought initially seems negative, as he lacks faith in the public to remain loyal to their prince.…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Cabeza De Vaca Quote Analysis
    • 2016 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Cabeza De Vaca Quote Analysis

    Niccolò Machiavelli and Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca went through different experiences that led them to have their own perspectives in human nature and create their ideals for good governance. The simple fact that Cabeza de Vaca was unfortunate enough to have a hard time throughout the expedition made him more open minded about human nature, while Machiavelli had a set idea of what human nature was and how it ties to good governance. Machiavelli's view on human nature is the same as what is a good governance a good leader and a good human being is someone who knows how to be respected and feared without being hated and how that leads to have the people the Prince governs happy and on his side. Cabeza de Vaca has a more down to earth view on human nature but that differs…

    • 2016 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Machiavelli And Hobbes Political Analysis
    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Machiavelli And Hobbes Political Analysis

    First of all, the manner in which Machiavelli’s theory originated from was his study of history, allowing him to draw conclusions about what is inherent in human nature through past human acts. Humans, to a certain extent, are self-interested, although they can be easily won or lost. In times of trouble, man turns egotistical and look for a leg up within adversity; in times of prosperity, they are trustworthy and loyal to their ruler. Posing a famous political dilemma, Machiavelli asks whether “it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse” (Chapter XVII). Because he believes man becomes disloyal to the state when times are tough, and the ultimate purpose of the Prince is to maintain order within the state, Machiavelli argues a ruler should be feared.…

    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Machiavelli Discourse On Livy Analysis
    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Machiavelli Discourse On Livy Analysis

    He outlines what he thinks is the proper political and religious structure for a state, and calls for a return to the classics, which is appropriate during the Renaissance, a time when a return to the classics was valued by all nobility, and Machiavelli points out the flaws apparent within the political system in Italy, especially in Rome proper, asking for…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Comparing Socrates And Machiavelli's The Prince
    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Comparing Socrates And Machiavelli's The Prince

    He is writing this text in order to counsel and influence the minds of rulers or as he calls them, “Princes”. Machiavelli calls for the separation of politics and ethics. Machiavelli does not like Christianity and despises the Holy Roman Empire, as he does not believe Princes should submit to a set of grandiose ideals. Rather a prince should take whatever action is necessary to prolong his rule and protect the state, regardless of religious or ethical considerations. Machiavelli provides a harsh, sometimes callous version of complete and outright…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Niccolo Machiavelli And The Prince
    • 1199 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Niccolo Machiavelli And The Prince

    Machiavelli argued that the ruler or the politicians could achieve national goals with various ways, which include both angle and evil deed. “ Therefore, a prince must not worry about the infamy of being considered cruel when it is a matter of keeping his subjects united and loyal” ，“A prince, and especially a new prince, cannot observe all those things for which men are considered good, because in order to maintain the state he must often act against his faith, against charity, against humanity, and against religion”Form these two sentence, we can clearly understand that the public virtue of Machiavelli can be realized by the evil deed. The division of two kinds of virtue doesn’t mean that Machiavelli deny the importance of private virtue. In his opinion, private virtue should play an important role within a range, like transforming man ' s ideology and cultivate good personality.…

    • 1199 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Machiavelli's Summary
    • 2626 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Machiavelli's Summary

    This quote is taken out of the part of text when the topic of what princes are blamed or praised for is discussed. It states that a man who solely looks at what should be done, most often in an ethical mindset, without the context of what the state of situation is, would not prosper as a leader and the respect the people have for him would diminish, leading to his ultimate demise. He is stating that one cannot act morally at all times if that is not what’s best at the time because those people who are not moral would act up and possibly overthrow the leadership. Machiavelli believes that leaders, in order to be strong and maintain power must serve themselves and not the people, and therefore uses this statement to illustrate that those in power must primarily accomplish what is best for themselves, and not the people in order to be “virtuous” leaders and have the respect of subjects and ultimately,…

    • 2626 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Comparing Machiavelli's The Prince And The Discourses
    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Comparing Machiavelli's The Prince And The Discourses

    Rather, it would juxtapose Machiavelli and ancient writings into Machiavelli’s world-view. Machiavelli did not fit the mold of Roman Catholicism, however, he still retained the mantle of Christian, albeit a strange one. Libertas et virtu played the defining role in his religion. As Viroli…

    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Machiavelli The Prince Rhetorical Analysis
    • 1637 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Machiavelli The Prince Rhetorical Analysis

    Machiavelli dives into politics with a very aggressive and pure mindset suggesting kings and princes to only worry about the end result without caring for the means of achieving it. Informing the readers that they should do anything it takes to get into and stay in power, the ends justify the means ideal. Machiavelli states that “Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them; and in the actions of all men, and especially of princes, which it is not prudent to challenge, one judges by the result.” essentially saying even if the means are unjust the people only see and judge you by the results. However, the “few” mentioned by him will eventually lead to a breach in society.…

    • 1637 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Compare And Contrast Machiavelli And Socrates
    • 1488 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Machiavelli And Socrates

    Although Machiavelli and Socrates both lived during times of uncertainty, political fragmentation and violence, their philosophies about how the state should conduct itself are in direct contrast with one another. Machiavelli’s the Prince is founded on the principal that if a ruler wishes to maintain power, he should embody the ideology of pragmatism, while Socrates believes the state should follow him in his commitment to moral purity and justice. The inherent dissonance between these philosophies would lead Socrates to be unsupportive of Machiavelli’s concept of a prince, and consequently the political system Machiavelli would recommend he install, despite his apparent change in rhetoric from the Apology to the Crito. Throughout Plato’s interpretation…

    • 1488 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Characteristics Of Machiavelli And William Shakespeare's 'Othello'
    • 1300 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Characteristics Of Machiavelli And William Shakespeare's 'Othello'

    Machiavelli’s Prince seeks to recruit and educate a ruler in the art of ruling. His ideal rulers are founders, men who created a fatherland and were not afraid to sacrifice lives and their self-interests for the common good. Machiavelli stresses that a ruler needs to appear virtuous while using vices when necessary to achieve positive results. Machiavelli teaches the ruler to divide his self. “It is essential, therefore, for a Prince […] to have learned how to be other than good, and to use or not use his goodness as necessity requires” (Machiavelli, 40).…

    • 1300 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    What Are The Similarities Between John Locke And Machiavelli
    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What Are The Similarities Between John Locke And Machiavelli

    Machiavelli theory argues that a ruler must do whatever it takes to gain and hold political power, but in the eyes of his subjects have the appearance of being morally…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Machiavelli The Prince Satire Analysis
    • 1412 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Machiavelli The Prince Satire Analysis

    The ideas that Machiavelli displays are the true ideals of the era, however, the irony and satire surrounding how they are presented are not genuine: ““Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good. Hence a prince who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires” (Machiavelli). Machiavelli is revealing to the reader that in order for a prince to do a good job, he must lie to his subjects in order to be successful. He continues to be ironic and poke fun at the system in play and proves that these thoughts of the prince are not genuine. The beliefs that correspond with those of the era that are presented in The Prince are a strong ruling body in order to maintain social order:“Machiavelli, in the world we have described, often holds qualities like liberality, affability, generosity, courage, sincerity, gravity, and faith, to be of no more or less political value than their opposites, except in communication”(Moore).…

    • 1412 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Machiavelli's View Of Virtue And Effective Rule
    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Machiavelli's View Of Virtue And Effective Rule

    He disregards the well being of the people, and instead focuses on the will of the prince. This is evident through his reasoning when providing options for rulers who had just acquired a nation in which the people have lived under liberty and freedom. Machiavelli’s first option is to simply destroy them, citing the Roman’s destruction of Capua, Carthage, and Numantia in their successful endeavor to control a free society. Machiavelli’s disregard for human life, coupled by the fact that he provides methods for ruling without seeking a means of good for the people, allows one to understand his definition of…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings