Niccolo Machiaveli

Question 1

Education?

Answer 1

He was well-educated at the University of Florence where he studied Latin at age 29.

Question 2

Three experiences positioned him to be a great thinker

Answer 2

1. The military scandal of 1499 in Florence
2. Louis the First- when he went to France to visit the king
3. He learned from Ceaser Borgia, the ruler of Florence.

Question 3

His books

Answer 3

The Prince (Where he advocated Democracy), Discourses (Republicanism)

Question 4

What did Machiavelli’s thoughts centre on?

Answer 4

The nature of man
Raisin De’ tat and his advice to the prince

Question 5

What were his thoughts on the nature of man?

Answer 5

Man was weak, anxious to avoid danger, fearful, timid, wicked, selfish, ungrateful and excessively desirous of fame.

Man is only grateful to the extent of getting reward and benefits and will do anything for personal gain, man is antisocial and anarchical, and consumed by jealousy.

Question 6

What was Machiavelli’s thoughts on the emergence of governments?

Answer 6

According to Machiavelli, man’s fear and desire for personal safety and security led him to establish a government with the strongest and most courageous in the society

Man’s fear made him restless, ambitious, aggressive which all put society in a state of constant strive and anarchy. Although, man resents superior authority, he needs to be directed by a superior due to his nature of perverse corruption

According to Machiavelli, Liberty was only possible within the law and the law was only provided by the government. Man saw political authority and order as necessary for social connection