ipl-logo

Aristotle Vs Machiavelli Research Paper

1395 Words6 Pages

The Virtues of Aristotle & Machiavelli Philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli believes that the natural disposition of human nature generates men to be self-serving, which calls for government that resembles a tyranny. Philosopher Aristotle believes that people are not born ruthless and that they can be morally pleasing, through habit and reason. Both philosophers believe government to be extremely essential but both have different believes on the course of action. To understand the political concepts of both philosophers, we must look at their philosophy on the relationship between self and “other”. “Other” is defined as one that is different or something that doesn’t belong. “Othering” helps others to establish their identity by casting one …show more content…

Aristotle believed that just as the body couldn’t function without an arm, the government couldn’t function without the people. Both philosophers show that to validate one self, something as to be deemed as the “other”. Their ideas closely identify with The Benjamin Franklin Effect which states that the human mind struggles to reconcile what we believe and how we behave. As Machiavelli defends the cruelness of a Prince, on the behavior of people in the state of human nature; he justifies the exclusion and “othering” of society. However, Aristotle believes that the government should be morally …show more content…

For Aristotle, the political community thrives off of arguments and disagreements. Through this dialogue between the government and the people, you determine what is just and unjust, and what is morally and politically correct. The ultimate accomplishment within the community and government is happiness for each other. He believes that nature disposes us to set rules living in a community. Aristotle believes politics are worthy of pursuing and carrying out for the common good, to prevent chaos, and for happiness, virtue and equality (Julia, 49). Contrastingly, for Machiavelli in politics the only rules that should be followed are those that help a person gain security and power. The idea of the common good is irrelevant to Machiavelli. He believes that people only go into politics for power and who ever the ruler may be; he should be forceful and manipulative. Through both of their views, we see that one cannot exist without the other. Arguments require the disjunction of two parties involve, which is why the government is important to people as the people are to government. In Aristotle’s eyes, one simply cannot thrive without the

Show More
Related

First Global Age Analysis

716 Words | 3 Pages

The main point made by Machiavelli was that men are inherently bad, so a leader must rule in a way that takes this into account. He taught that because of man’s ungratefulness, it is safer to be feared than loved (D-4). This shows that Machiavelli believed that the power and success of a country will lead to the prosperity of its inhabitants. Both influential people believed that a country prospers the most under absolute power.

Read More

Thomas Jefferson And Niccolo Machiavelli's The Morals Of The Prince

762 Words | 4 Pages

Machiavelli argues the perfect prince will be both feared and loved by his people, and if unable to be both he will make himself feared and not hated. Machiavelli believes it is much safer to be feared than to be loved because people are less likely to offend and stand up against strong characters, also people are less concerned in offending a prince who has made himself loved. Accordingly, Machiavelli believes generosity is harmful to your reputation and the choice between being generous or stingy, merciful or cruel, honest or deceitful, should only be important if it aids the prince in political power. All in all, Machiavelli believes the ruler must be a great deceiver and do what is essential to uphold power over the

Read More

How Does Machiavelli Support Secular Humanism

688 Words | 3 Pages

Thesis:This essay will argue that Machiavelli supported secular humanism but not civic humanism. In particular, this essay will focus on how Machiavelli condoned immoral acts and believed that fear should be prioritised over love in politics. Furthermore, he thinks that it is more important to appear liberal than actually practice liberalism Throughout his book, The prince, Machiavelli stressed that it is not advised for a ruler to always be morally upright, at least not in the conventional sense (http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2014/entries/machiavelli/). He even condones certain acts by individuals which would be considered conventionally immoral, such as Romulus murdering his own brother ( Machiavelli The discourses ex.132-133).

Read More

Comparing Discourses On Livy 'And Hobbes' Leviathan

527 Words | 3 Pages

Instead of following the traditional virtues of moral standards, this is deemed practical. By stating that being a “good man in all circumstances will bring about his own ruin” (48), Machiavelli suggests that it is virtuous and necessary to push morals aside to be effective leaders. Virtu is parallel to being skillful; using strategic techniques to reach one’s goals. In the same way, it is suggested politicians should overlook morals to act prudently, bringing stability to the state. Here, the notion of a manipulative and dishonest behavior becomes present, as it is suggested that princes should build crafty political orders to maintain stability.

Read More

Summary Of Machiavelli's Book 'XV'

358 Words | 2 Pages

Machiavelli's book XV teaches us how a ruler should conduct himself with his subjects and friends. In the mind of this author, he devised to create a more realistic leader than idealist when he pointed out that. "For Many authors have constructed imaginary republics and principalities that have never existed in practice and never could; for the gap between how people actually behave and how they ought to behave is so great that anyone who ignores everyday reality in order to live up an ideal will soon discover he has been taught how to destroy himself, not how to preserve himself. ”(Morgan P.508). Machiavelli recommends to the ruler how to stay in power, and to achieve this goal must develop virtues of nobility and evil if necessary, and should

Read More

Machiavelli's View On 'Virtu'

451 Words | 2 Pages

When he spoke about those who came to power through wicked actions and gave the example of Agathocles, Machiavelli says that although Agathocles committed cruel actions in order to rule, he still demonstrated bravery and strength of character (29). Machiavelli says that “If you take control of a state, you should make a list of all the crimes you have to commit and do them all at once” (30). That way, you will not have to keep repeating your evil deeds, which will “reassure your subjects and win their support by treating them well” (31). Contrary to Plato, who believes that morality is a part of politics, Machiavelli believes that morality and politics are two separate things, and says that a ruler has to know when their duty is more important than their moral

Read More

Plato Vs Machiavelli

429 Words | 2 Pages

He believes anyone can rule a polis if they have virtu. Once a ruler, a simple rule to follow to maintain power and not to be hated by the people, is to “not take away a man’s possession or woman”, Machiavelli believes the people will not feel threaten by following this rule, thus maintaining a stable polis. He expresses how “human nature never changes”, and that people are self-interested and they can turn against you once you are not profiting them. A good ruler must have the strength to do whatever it takes to obtain and maintain power, which essentially means that even if they have to hurt some of the people for the benefit of the popular mass, then they shall do so for the greater cause. Both Plato and Machiavelli believe that there must be a government in order for human kind to survive.

Read More

Machiavelli's Views On Commoners

469 Words | 2 Pages

Machiavelli states rulers should gain and maintain power by whatever means possible, even brutality and manipulation. Machiavelli also believed that commoners were only loyal to their leaders when their needs were met. He thought manipulation should be used to convince the commoners that their needs and interest were met. Overall, Machiavelli viewed the commoners as an essential source of power for leaders, felt they were somewhat challenging to control, and must be carefully governed to gain stability in the state and avoid insurrection (Machiavelli, 1532/2003).

Read More

Comparing Aristotle's Purpose And Nature Of Government

1713 Words | 7 Pages

The foundational view points formed by Aristotle and the early Christian writers on the purpose and nature of government have laid the basis for all major types of government and even shaped the daily routine of the average citizen with their analysis of the different possible and theoretical forms of ruling. Humans have strived for peace and order through virtuous means since their initial creation. Through this pursuit, the ideas of who should rule, how to rule, and what entails being a good citizen emerged giving life to the political field and government in its rawest form. To this day, the writings of these men have shaped countries, regimes, and entire cultures. Though their opinions may differ, the impact felt is nearly everlasting.

Read More

Qualities Of A Good Man In Machiavelli's The Prince

1284 Words | 6 Pages

Machiavelli’s first suggests that a powerful ruler cannot be a good person. A good person, someone who is “merciful, faithful, kind, religious, upright”, cannot be a good ruler(Machiavelli, 55). He claims that “anyone who wants to act the part of a good man … will bring about his own ruin”(48). Acting as a good man will not bring a

Read More

Erasmus Vs Machiavelli

1034 Words | 5 Pages

Machiavelli believed that men will follow a ruler as long as the ruler serves their interests, and a quick to turn against the ruler unless they fear great punishment. Machiavelli would say that it is best to be feared rather than loved as long as the fear does not cause hate, which he believed to be perfectly possible.

Read More

Aristotle And Locke Compare And Contrast Essay

703 Words | 3 Pages

Aristotle thought the best form of government was a polity or constitutional government; however, a polity was non-existent in Aristotle’s time. Correspondingly, Locke

Read More

Niccolo Machiavelli Summary

1371 Words | 6 Pages

Machiavelli simply expressed that power and morality are independent of each other. When these two viewpoints come to collision, it depends on who faces the alternative. Moralists can recognize the superiority of the moral code over the competing value system while the ecclesiastic will not admit a rival to its religious code. Similarly, the statesman will be guided solely by the principle of his code whose end is different from other codes and whose means are therefore different, too. (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, p. 318) Machiavelli was particularly pessimistic.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Aristotle And John Locke

1604 Words | 7 Pages

Essay 1 Aristotle and John Locke both believe humans were not created to live alone but instead among other people of the same community. Humans are not independent beings, and those who live in isolation lack the purpose of life: becoming a citizen and exercising one 's full potential of human flourishing. According to Aristotle, the collective community or multitude of citizens coexisting with one another is happiness, whereas Locke believes that the collective community is protecting autonomy and property. Both philosophers believe that to become a citizen, one must contribute to politics with the intent of creating a better society for all. Aristotle and Locke however, have differing views on how a person accomplishes this.

Read More

Aristotle's Citizenship

1750 Words | 7 Pages

Upon evaluating Aristotle’s ideals of citizenship, one finds a world wherein citizenship and freedom are one in the same – active participation in debate and deliberation in the political community through the exclusively human use of reason and speech capacities. Given this ideal of citizenship, it becomes the case that the ideas for human flourishing and thus the good life follow suit. For Aristotle, human flourishing comes from the cultivation of virtue that is a result of continued participation in the political community, or, continued intentional citizenship. For the good life, it is important to note that it is the continued practice of virtuous activity, rather than the obtaining, that is required. For, “…possession of virtue seems actually compatible with being asleep, or with lifelong inactivity, and, further, with the greatest sufferings and misfortunes; but a man who was living so no one would call happy…”

Read More

More about Aristotle Vs Machiavelli Research Paper

Related Topics

Open Document