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Aristotle Vs Machiavelli Research Paper

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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

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