forced to grant that his (Machiavelli’s) teaching is diabolical and he himself a devil‚ we are forced to remember the profound theological truth that the devil himself is a fallen angel. - Leo Strauss‚ “Thoughts on Machiavelli” (1958: 13) The sheer infamy Niccolo Machiavelli has drawn to himself in the five centuries since he wrote The Prince underscores the fact that he was no political infant. On the contrary‚ he has been called‚ amongst other things‚ a ‘great sinner’ (Dostoevsky‚ cited in
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Niccolò Machiavelli thoroughly discusses the importance of religion in the formation and maintenance of political authority in his famous works‚ The Prince and The Discourses. In his writing on religion‚ he states that religion is beneficiary in the formation of political authority and political leaders must support and endorse religion in order to maintain power. However‚ Machiavelli also critiques corrupt religious institutions that become involved in politics and in turn‚ cause corruption in
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conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro each of who attempt to argue their point of justification about why they are in court or should not be there‚ which in turn a question develops about the gods and holiness. Euthyphro has a surprise encounter beside the porch of the king responsible for overseeing religious law. Euthyphro asks Socrates why he is there. Socrates states he has being persecuted by Meletus for corrupting the youth with his ideals about predictions of the future. Socrates in turn asks
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Use of physical violence is discussed when analyzing how a political entities should be ruled. German philosopher Max Weber (1864-1920)‚ in his essay Politics as a Vocation‚ incorporated the “legitimate use of violence” into his definition of state as a state-specific characteristic. Florentine philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) presented physical violence as an absolute necessity in consolidating power . Despite having lived in different centuries and backgrounds‚ Weber’s and Machiavelli’s
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Write an essay of no more than 2750 words on the following topic. Be sure to cite passages generously from the texts of Machiavelli and Hobbes (in quotation marks‚ of course). Since we’re all using the same translations of Machiavelli‚ you should cite by page number; since we have discussed Hobbes with reference to chapter and section number‚ you should cite this way: L 18.2. You should not do any secondary reading for this paper. Your work should be based on your own thinking‚ your own reading
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Machiavelli never thought about how big of an impact and influence‚ The Prince would be. However‚ as history tells the work becomes a major part in the Renaissance and becomes one of the most influential works at that time‚ and becomes the most famous work from Machiavelli‚ in fact more famous and influential than all of his works put together. During the Renaissance‚ the reformation came from ideals or theories of political and social issues. Machiavelli played and participated in very involved
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caution because Socrates is a “clever speaker”. According to Socrates‚ the difference between him and his accusers is that he speaks the truth. He is on trial for two items‚ which include‚ corrupting the youth and impiety. Socrates tells everyone that he has no experience with the court and he will speak the way he is used to by being honest and direct. Socrates explains that his behavior is from the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. The oracle was asked if anyone was wiser than Socrates was. The answer
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Sophists cont’d 3) key pre understandings A all knowledge is relative B Culture‚ religion‚ and ethics are circumstantial and thereby changeable‚ rather than natural permanent and absolute 4) The sophists role in Athenian Democracy A The Shift to democract meant that clear speech and the power of persuation was indispensible B Sophists taught the art of rhetoric‚ the art of persuasive speech‚ not for the sake of truth‚ but for the sake of winning the argument 1 make a bad case look
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1) Socrates thinks that the person who thinks he knows nothing when he doesn’t know anything is wiser than the person who thinks he knows something when he doesn’t. But if neither person knows anything‚ how can on be wiser than the other? What kind of wisdom could Socrates be referring to here? Socrates believed that the person who thinks he knows nothing when he doesn‟t know anything is wiser than the person who thinks he knows something when he doesn‟t. If neither person knows
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or evil. Machiavelli argues simply that man is self-centered and only after self preservation. He argues that mankind is immoral and greedy. His opinions are apparent as he states‚ "It may be said of men in general that they are ungrateful‚ voluble‚ dissemblers‚ anxious to avoid danger‚ and covetous of gain‚" in the eighteenth paragraph of The Prince. These thoughts and views have gained him the title of a cynic. More than a cynic however‚ Machiavelli is but a realist. Machiavelli feels that
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