The term “Machiavellian” is used to describe a way of thinking or acting that is cunning, cruel, and cold. In fact, the Miriam-Webster dictionary definition of the term is, “using clever lies and tricks in order to get or achieve something : clever and dishonest.” The term is of course named after Niccoló Machiavelli, the Italian author of The Prince. While the term has gained a wider usage in modern times to describe cruelty or ruthlessness for the benefit of an individual, Machiavelli argued the use of such underhanded tactics only for rulers in order to strengthen their holdings. The Prince is meant to be a handbook to establish the proper code of conduct for a ruler of a state, nation, or principality. It advocates a new political, social, and moral value structure that relies almost solely on ruthless logic, and encourages the use of measures that would be considered extreme or even brutal by the Christian value structure in 16th century Italy. It encourages princes to disregard their former concepts of virtue and embrace a new morality that is solely judged on what is best for their states.
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Machiavelli admits that, “as I know that many have written on this point, I expect I shall be considered presumptuous in mentioning it again,” but he argues that an original set of practical – rather than theoretical – rules is needed. Other philosophers, such as Thomas More, have written of republics built upon an idealized notion of how men should live rather than how men actually live. However, “truth strays far from the expectations of imagined ideals.” In other words, people are imperfect, and do not live their lives in an ideal world, but rather in a harsh reality. A prince should not concern himself with living virtuously, but rather with acting so as to achieve the most practical
The first portion of …show more content…
Machiavelli admits that, “as I know that many have written on this point, I expect I shall be considered presumptuous in mentioning it again,” but he argues that an original set of practical – rather than theoretical – rules is needed. Other philosophers, such as Thomas More, have written of republics built upon an idealized notion of how men should live rather than how men actually live. However, “truth strays far from the expectations of imagined ideals.” In other words, people are imperfect, and do not live their lives in an ideal world, but rather in a harsh reality. A prince should not concern himself with living virtuously, but rather with acting so as to achieve the most practical