Machiavelli

 

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

 

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