Machiavelli entering into evil In chapter VIII‚ Machiavelli believed that the necessity of being cruel is really important for the princes or leaders. He does not hesitate to support the necessity of cruelty and crime in founding power; however the cruelty has to be limited; otherwise the princes will be hated. Machiavelli argued that cruel acts must be committed only as necessary‚ but all at once and then ceased‚ so that the populace will forget them. “Hence it should be noted that in talking
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The Prince was written by Niccolo Machiavelli for Lorenzo de Medici so that Machiavelli could get back in his good graces. After his many years in politics‚ he wrote this to explain what would make a prince virtuous and how to rule properly. The book shows the background of politics and to some people it can be seen as immoral. There are two types of principalities: a hereditary prince or a new prince. Machiavelli focuses more on the new princes and uses other princes as references to what should
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to Niccolò Machiavelli’s writing‚ and the presentation of his theories and observations is extremely pragmatic. In consequence‚ it was surprising when‚ in chapter 25‚ Machiavelli began to speak‚ quite frankly‚ about the role of fate and fortune in a principality‚ saying that‚ "...fortune is arbiter of half of our actions‚ but also that she leaves the other half‚ or close to it‚ for us to govern" (98). This at first glance appears to be a far more fanciful notion than the ones that Machiavelli had
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Jessica Thomas Friday April 26‚ 2013 Machiavelli and Hobbes understood the natural state of the world to be conflict. How does this shape their understanding of human beings‚ politics‚ ethics‚ and morality? Does this idea and itself towards liberal or conservative ideas? Explain. Machiavelli’s understanding of the natural state of the world to be conflict causes him to look and access the world differently than others. His understanding of the natural state of the world bleeds over into
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what an “ideal” founder of such a state would be like. The ideals of these two great men differ immensely and the foundation for these differences can be found in their distinctive views regarding human nature. Once this is assessed the picture that each man paints of their ideal ruler or founder becomes much clearer. Plato promotes the concept of philosopher-kings who rule over his imagined Utopian society‚ while Machiavelli endorses a ruthless and at times amoral prince whose primary objective is
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Danielle Butler October 16‚ 2011 English 101/ O.C #2-Machiavelli Though often presented as two ideological opposites‚ personally I find there to be a lot more similarities between Plato and Machiavelli than usually acknowledged. Obviously there are some sharp contrasts. If one examines the excerpts from Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Plato’s “The Republic”‚ it’s easy to conclude that Plato believed it to be essential for a government leader to be just‚ good‚ and free from corruption
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should not let the nation to go under disorder and chaos because at the end the leaders are the one who decide. Also‚ Machiavelli believed that it’s the prince’s responsibility to lead his state into order and give the stability to his people. The characteristics of an excellent prince are being respected and feared‚ good virtues‚ and intelligent. Discussion As Machiavelli believed‚ a prince or a leader ought to be feared and respected because it is not his responsibility to be loved or
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Machiavelli and Adolf Hitler are both names synonymous with evil: killing without reason‚ fear tactics‚ cruelty. “Adolf Hitler‚ according to his own word‚ kept The Prince by his bedside‚ where it served as a constant source of inspiration…” (Downs 201). Machiavelli’s work is known as a guide to holding absolute power; Hitler took The Prince’s advice‚ but the extent is up for debate. They shared basic mutual principles‚ but certain technicalities are different. Hitler took a great amount of inspiration
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PHILOSOPHY The History of Philosophy is often divided into three periods: Ancient philosophy‚ Medieval philosophy‚ and Modern philosophy. Philosophy is the discipline concerned with questions of how one should live (ethics); what sorts of things exist and what are their essential natures (metaphysics); what counts as genuine knowledge (epistemology); and what are the correct principles of reasoning (logic). The word is of Ancient Greek origin (philosophía)‚ meaning love of wisdom. Definition
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Niccoló Machiavelli‚ in The Qualities of the Prince‚ gives the qualities a prince should have to maintain his power‚ or for an aspiring prince to acquire the throne. Martin Luther King‚ as a leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement‚ did not aspire to the throne but to freedom and justice for the African-American community. In this context‚ he wrote Letter from Birmingham Jail which was addressed to the clergymen who had previously sent him a letter that criticized his
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