Deception In Machiavelli's The Prince

Machiavelli in The Prince explains that morality can be cast aside if the ends justify the means. This disposal of morality allows for a unified and peaceful society that was once in chaos. By enforcing that there must be some morality cast aside to reach an end goal, Machiavelli examines the idea that there must be some deceptive elements that lead to a working society. This tool of deception is Machiavelli’s tactic for the Prince to unify a chaotic society under peace. Similarly, in the Republic, Plato examines the idea of society striving to reach perfection and justice which is known as Kallipolis. At the head of Kallipolis sits the Philosopher King, or guardian class, who are adept-minded philosophers that run society above the law. However, Plato establishes a Noble Lie to his people where they slowly accept a class system for the betterment of society. Then the guardians of the society or gold class are taught under this lie not knowing the truth to allow the best ruling …show more content…
Plato enforces his leaders to believe a Noble Lie for the survival of his society. He then allows his leaders to live above the law and create more lies for the people, so society can function as a whole and just community. In the end, Plato’s society’s ends justify its means because a peaceful society can be created through deceptive elements that have no negative effect on the people. Just like Machiavelli, Plato emphasizes the true idea that deceit needs to be a balancing force when beginning a society. The brief disbanding of Plato’s moral code allows for him to attain his end goal of envisioning a working society in the visible realm for people to live harmoniously similar to Machiavelli’s society where people are unified through lies and