Machiavelli Flashcards
outline machiavellianism
using clever but often dishonest methods to deceive people to win power or control
lead to him being labelled the devil by berlin and shakespeare
what is wrong with machiavellianism?
straw man fallacy
he does advocate deception but for the common good and only if necessary
what are the differences between his politics and ancient ones?
he emphasises glory not reason
knows good men can lead to bad regimes not always good ones
virtue enables man to master fortune
politics should manage disharmony, not harmony
what is fortuna?
part of our destiny isnt in our control but some is so we should act on that
what is method 1 to fortune?
emphasis on empiricism and realism
- look at what has actually happened and not just at ought to be’s
ends justify the means kant vs mach
kant - people are ends in themselves not means
mach - state is a priority over humans so people can and should be treated as ends
virtues and vices to mach?
practising what is good/virtuous may be ruinously irrational
the lion and the fox analogy?
a prince must emulate both to have cunning and strength. there are two ways to act either as man or animal and sometimes animal is best if wisely chosen
fox will find snares and lion will scare away wolves
examples proving fox and lion analogy
moses - destroys to build
roman emperor Severus
what does the fox and the lion contrast to?
Cicero: (roman politician) wrong is done through fraud (fox) or force (lion) both are bestial
cicero’s ethics?
rational to be moral, honest and some acts should never be done even to save one’s country
mach’s new ethics?
one must follow any plan that will save her life and her liberty
what is a wise prince
prepared to act immorally and flexible with his fortune
opinion on religion
mach rejects religion but it can be used to preserve solidarity (paganism is preferred )
how to get common goal/good
mach doesn’t promote personal gain but common interests, best way to get people to behave is to terrorise them
