Philosophize This!
23. Machiavelli
Intro to Political Philosophy – Yale
10. New Modes and Orders_ Machiavelli, The Prince (chaps. 1-12)
11. New Modes and Orders_ Machiavelli, The Prince (chaps. 13-26)
Reading Political Philosophy – The Open University
Machiavelli – Nigel Warburten & Quentin Skinner
Notes
Life
- Born in 1469 Florence, a city state of Italy in height of Renaissance, grew up under rule of Medici, saw them deposed
- Republic of Florence, Machiavelli was a chancellor until Medici returned to power and he was exiled from the city & politics
Work
- The Prince, seminal work – blueprint for taking control and maintaining stability for a ruler
- A prince should do go if at all possible, but should know how to do evil if necessary
- “I have no interest in telling man how to get to heaven, rather I’d prefer to show him how to get to hell, so he may avoid it.”
- BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY
- one must not revel in victory
- one must not strike out impulsively
- one must constantly monitor their own motives
- one must treat other with civility
- Virtue is dependent on what you goal in life is – rulers live w/ different goals from average citizen
- Believed a republic is the best solution for the governing of a state, but you need a ruthless ruler to establish the state & stabilise it
- Chief concern = stability of the state at any means
- Law, used by man & Force, used by beasts
- The lion & the fox – A fox to recognise the trap, a lion to frighten the wolves
- Counter argument – Prince should seek war for greatness comes from the most extreme situations
- Rule w/ Fear or Love? If we must choose, it is safer to be feared than loved
- Moses, Cyrus, Romulus – wise to imitate the greatest rulers
- Idea of the armed prophet
- Discourses on Livi
- Promoted appearing religious but discouraged practice of it
- Doing good vs being good – having to get your hands dirty – knowing how not to be good
- You need evil in order to have good
- Practiced vs. philosophical Machiavellism
- 2 major humours
- The Grandi; rich and powerful who wish to dominate
- The Populi; who wish to neither rule or be ruled
- Believed the Prince should seek to build his power on the people vs the nobles as the nobles are dangerous and fickle
Documentary on Machiavelli
The Prince – Full Audiobook