The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. Ethical beliefs are Platos main focus in a government. For this he promoted religion but keeping his own interest and thought in mind. 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. Machiavelli however, along with some of his classical predecessors, saw ambition and spiritedness, and therefore war, as inevitable and part of human nature. Machiavellis view of human nature was not in accord to that of humanists who felt that an individual could greatly contribute to the well being of the society. Machiavellis views regarding politics, religion and morality are essentially based on his view of human nature. In Machiavellis, The Prince, he states that, Men never do good except out of necessity, but when they have the freedom to choose and can do as they please, everything becomes confused and disorderly (182). Thus Machiavelli believed that the best form of society was one where the Prince ruled his kingdom. According to the quote given by Sabine, Machiavelli is not so much concerned with badness or egoism as a general human motive and with its prevalence in Italy as a symptom of social descendance. Answer (1 of 2): Some. In conclusion, the city develops the people as the people develop the city. Theory from Machiavelli to Kissinger(Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave, 2001). Does his view of mans relation to fortune reflect optimism or pessimism?, Stability in a rulers morals and ethics are a vital asset to have when ruling a group of people. For instance, the modern definition of human nature indicates non-existence of a connection between politics and moral virtue. For example a partnership between two persons and one dies, the partnership would be terminated and a new agreement formed if another person decides to enter into a partnership with the existing partner., Petrarch felt that a ruler needed to be mature, so that "no rumor, no hint of rebellion disturbed the city" (10.1 Petrarch: Rules For The Ruler). Neither in power nor in possessions are always in fact limited by natural scarcity. If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests, it would be better for him to be feared bey the citizens within his own principality. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. Stevenson (as cited in Shadiya, 2012) in his words it is not the consciousness of men that determines their beings, but, on the contrary, their social existence/being determines their, According to Christianity doctrines, human beings are made of both materials, that is dust from the ground, and immaterial, that is soul or mind. Although Machiavelli doubted that this form of government could ever be established it did appear several years after he wrote The Prince. Therefore, if a prince wants to maintain his rule he must learn not to be so virtuous, and to make use of this or not according to need.16, Machiavelli's was that, "God does not want to do everything Himself, and take away from us our free will and our share of glory which belongs us."17. Thoughts, feelings and behavior affect the soul. (page 52). Machiavelli, in short, may no more need a general conception of human nature than the economist needs to 'believe in' the existence of Economic Man. There are many different qualities that make a man a good ruler but there are some that are more essential than others. The content of the book is based on his observations and descriptions of human behavior. In Machiavellis view they were all flawed because the qualities recommended for example: honesty and good faith were all suitable for a monastery than for struggles of political life. And because a soul does not have these characteristics, there is doubt on how it can be considered a person. Machiavelli says that, Men are ungrateful, fickle, deceitful, cowardly and avaricious. From this it sums up to the conclusion that a ruler or a monarch should aim rather to be feared than to be loved. This essay describes Thomas More and Niccolo Machiavelli, two greatest thinkers of the Renaissance age, have elaborated innovative ideas for their days, and it is possible to say that if they had been adopted they would have a very long-lasting effect. Albert O. Hirschman , The Passions and the Interests (1977), p. 12-13 Thus Machiavelli thought about religion as a powerful instrument so far that it is in the hands of the wise ruler to sustain and uphold the national morale of the state. To him, Italy stands as an example of corrupt society. So here the criticism is that Machiavelli has give the concept of human nature as at his time Italys political position was unbalanced and he had observed and wrote according to that and that his concept might be limited and not universal. While many people argue that Machiavellis legitimization of lying and deception in politics is immoral, I argue the opposite. Machiavellis vie and point of human nature was very materialistic, he had rejected and turned down the ideologies of the Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato who said that the state aims to make the people virtuous and good, he also dismisses the idea that existed in the medieval ages that the end of the state is to smooth the way of a man to eternal salvation. No doubt that people love their property but they love and have equally deep regard and affection for their family, kins and other relations of blood. us: [emailprotected]. Like Hobbes, he is very pessimistic about human nature and believes that men by nature are purely selfish and they, in their lives, are always motivated by selfish desires. His mindset was simple. In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli presents a . Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; Philosophers have no way of accepting this until it is proven. There are those who believe humans are inherently good and seek the best possible outcomes for society as a whole. He felt that his suggestions would provide a frame work for a future prince of Italy to bring about political stability. There are many different qualities that make a man a good ruler but there are some that are more essential than others. 2 It is natural for humans to desire more, and humans are praised rather than condemned when they do so. The lion is fierce but doesnt have the smarts, while a fox has the smarts but isn 't fierce. Your two-paragraph response should quote and reference a couple of very key passages in these chapters that bear upon this all-important matter for his political theory. The bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures they are, break when it is to their advantage to do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective.9 In order to win honor, Machaivelli suggests that a prince must be readily willing to deceive the citizens. Machiavelli had assumed and had given the human nature a dark picture to an extreme that some think that he had considered humans to that of animals. Whereas soul (nafs), in its downward or corporeal tendency, is attached to the body and in its upward or spiritual tendency, is attached to the spirit. He does not have to be loved by the people, but he must not be hated and should always be respected. This is evident in many businesses that collapsed during the recession or merge with bigger companies in the hope of staying afloat. Throughout the middle ages it was the church was the dominant and the supreme and the major part of the state and the church had political power and ruled the state and the pope of the church had supreme authority even in the sway of politics, as god was feared and the church was the creation of the god so the popes or the father were given and was considered as a dominant authority over the state of affairs to that of the state as that the soul has the supreme authority over the body, it was during that time that it was assumes that the church has a superior authority and position as compare, but Machiavelli was opposed to this idea as he thought of it differently and with this and his intellectual thoughts he believed and promoted religion but with his own twist of idea. Although Machiavelli and Hobbes agree on the basic motivation of human nature, their understandings of human nature conflict when considering the consistency of these qualities in a variety of situations. Machiavelli thought that religious factor in the society is a driving force which a clever and intellectual ruler can use to turn the table in the game of politics and use religion for their own advantage and growth of the state. The Prince is a handbook for how one should rule. Yet he may be feared without being hated if he refrains from touching their property and their woman kind of his subjects, and if he avoid bloodshed excepting when there is good cause and manifest justification for it is in as much as men more easily forget the loss of their father than of their property. With it he tends to say that man so much is in love with his priorities that he can go to any extreme and even turn evil to protect it from danger, Machiavelli here also mentions that apart from property men is also insecure of his women and that if anyone is eyeing their women they tend to be aggressive and then it comes up to their ego, this idea or thought of Machiavelli can be seen even today. "10 By encouraging citizens to excel at their professions he would also be encouraging them to "increase the prosperity of the their state. See how Italy beseeches God to send someone to save her from those barbarous cruelties and outrages; see how eager and willing the country is to follow a banner, if someone will raise it.18, Although Italy had become the center of intellectual, artistic and cultural development, Machiavelli did not feel these qualities would help in securing Italy's political future. Machiavelli was a realist, and had a rather negative view on human nature. But he should also question them toughly and listen to what they say; then he should make up his own mind.12, Since each person will only advice the prince in accord to his own interests, the prince must act on his own accord. One way is to show his esteem for talent actively encouraging the able and honouring those who excel in their professionsso that they can go peaceably about their business.10 By encouraging citizens to excel at their professions he would also be encouraging them to increase the prosperity of the their state.11 These measures, though carried out in deception, would bring the prince honor and trust amongst the citizens, especially those who were in the best positions to oppose him. ~Plato- the political community shapes human nature Humans love themselves first and then think about other things and that they are not law abiding citizens. They are interconnecting one another. He feels that men respond more strongly to fear than love. Appreciation is given to those with this trait because it is easier to reach agreements on important matters by both sides of the argument compromising. Within Machiavelli's concentration of plotting out successful achievement of a stabilized state within a principality, he often reveals the importance of the satisfaction the people within the governing walls of that principality. Oppenheimer opines that ''the inevitability of treachery renders inevitable an invalidation of all ideologies'' (297), but the closest he comes to explaining the concept of ''beyond ideology'' in the book's subtitle is the assertion that, according to Machiavelli, 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. Nature is the elementary or intrinsic feature of an entity, especially when seen as a characteristic of it. Machiavelli's Philosophy on Human Nature MACHIAVELLI'S VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. "11 These measures, though carried out in deception, would bring the prince honor and trust amongst the citizens, especially those who were in the best positions to oppose him. Their views on human nature and government had some common points and some ideas that differed., Machiavelli was an author and an aspiring political figure who had a strong influence on several aspects of Europes government. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best An economist need not believe that all people are rational profit maximizers, only that in certain contexts it is useful so to model them. He attributes defining how a great a ruler should rule. Finally, both texts convey the concept of the body being the vessel of the mind and soul. Quran uses words like nafs, ruh, and qalb to represent the nature of man. Throughout his writings, Machiavelli subscribes to a consistent theory of human nature. Reading question 1: Machiavelli on Human Nature. Machiavelli's view that human nature was much darker than than idealised model of (religious) virtue promoted at the time was more realistic. A human being always tries to explain the main cause of this entangled philosophy, which manifests itself in the spectacular achievements of humankind and establishment of civilizations. [In] choosing wise men for his government and allowing those the freedom to speak the truth to him, and then only concerning matters on which he asks their opinion, and nothing else. According to Machiavelli human nature is completely selfish and full of ego and that they always think about their own self interest like the masses desire safety and security and the ruler wants power, and that they are very selfish to gain and conquer their motives. Machiavelli did not see everyone as equal beings to take charge and have full responsibility in being a suitable leader. Their view on human reasoning plays a role in their different opinions on human nature. Rowe also brings up the issue with something being the same person, where he points out that there is no evidence to prove this. He believes we can be trustworthy but we quickly turn selfish. . His concept of human nature does not take into consideration the universal society. All rights reserved. This claim especially clarifies the necessity of fear and the . Cicero stressed the importance of patronage but advised against giving gifts of money, because the giver will soon exhaust his resources and have to take the property of . Machiavelli, he gave less importance to religion as compared to the state. Machiavelli viewed humans as inherently selfish and corrupt, these is his main argument for the need for a political dictatorship as the ultimate form of government. Before Machiavelli, almost all thinkers and political personalities believed and propagated and promoted religion as the basis of the state. His idea of the ruler as a pretender is so relevant event in todays time, as politicians and other influential personalities even though highly corrupted and evil from within tend and try to make a clear and a white impression to and in front of the masses and hoax them in order to increase their vote banks or to gain their benefit and profit. In his famous work the Prince Niccolo Machiavelli exposes what it takes to be a good prince and how only this good price and keep control over his state. The Prince and its ideas can even be seen today in our modern day presidents and kings proving that Machiavelli had compelling ideas and arguments for how leaders can obtain and hold a position of power successfully., The understanding of human nature and the effects it has on the individual and society has been a serious topic in the philosophical world. However, the distance and opposition of each with respect to natural law were different in content. However, Hobbes enlarges and extends the relationship between those at the top of the mountain and in the valley. However, Machiavelli makes a powerful case that it is better for a leader to be feared than loved. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. One of the themes to Machiavelli's plan included the dismissal of the affection of virtue of the nobility as well as the significance of an honest people. More Details, Thomas Jefferson: the Man, the Myth, and the Morality, Teddy Roosevelt: the Man Who Changed the Face of America. No matter the interpretation of how a ruler should lead, Machiavelli's analyst of a leaders provides insight into everyday life and causes leaders today to think about how they. In this work Machiavelli stresses the importance of being a warrior prince, a wise prince, and knowing how to navigate the duality of virt and vices. He must have wisdom to choose the least risky venture and act on it courageously and wisdom in picking his advisors. Machiavelli writes:Italy is waiting to see who can be the one to heal her wounds, put and end to the sacking of Lombardy, to extortion in the Kingdom and in Tuscany, and cleanse those sores which have been festering so long. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. Machiavelli's theory of Government is determined by his conception of the study of human nature. Machiavelli makes Hobbes look like a naive, philanthropic optimist. This aspect of Hamlet is the ruthless and cunning tactician who is open to using deceit for his own ends. In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready Machiavelli has described humans as bad, evil, selfish, egoistic and depraved. While some may believe that these are qualities of a good person, Machiavelli believes these qualities lead to the downfall of rulers. The book provides historically tested and proven principles of leadership. The real nature of human beings is consisted of the totality of social relations. See how Italy beseeches God to send someone to save her from those barbarous cruelties and outrages; see how eager and willing the country is to follow a banner, if someone will raise it.18Although Italy had become the center of intellectual, artistic and cultural development, Machiavelli did not feel these qualities would help in securing Italys political future. Locke got it right. Human made up of two parts; body and soul in which body as a vehicle for the soul. At one place in 'The Prince' he says," Men are ungrateful, fickle . Human consists of various combinations which are biological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral elements. In this work Machiavelli stresses the importance of being a warrior prince, a wise prince, and knowing how to navigate the duality of virt and vices. His views were to the benefit of the prince, in helping him maintain power rather than to serve to the well being of the citizens. Niccol Machiavelli, Francesco Guicciardini, and sixteenth-century theorists of "reason of state" may be regarded as the initiators of a tradition of political thinking very distant from and even opposite to natural law doctrines. This is an archetypal example illustrating Machiavelli's view of human nature, that people are volatile and need manipulating if order is to be achieved. MACHIAVELLI'S VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Therefore, they have no fixed and independent nature. Political Realism in International Relations (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) 2022-11-06. Machiavellis saying that men is ready to sacrifice their kin or relations for the sake and security of his priorities, but Machiavelli here also says that the top three priorities of man are life, family and then property, so how can he give up one priority to meet the other. Machiavelli also stakes his point on a ruler been versatile with his analogy of the fox and lion. Both of their ideas have been taught for years, and are certainly essential to understand how they interpret a perfect polis. Malevolence, dictatorship, or Tupac Shakur? In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. Their views on human nature and government had some common points and some ideas that differed. 37). Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd The humanist Machiavelli and the materialist Hobbes emphasize the idea of human nature in their political theories. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. Machiavelli probably sensed that a realistic theory of the state required a knowledge of human nature, but his remarks on that subject, while invariably acute, are scattered and unsystematic. Thanks for checking out our website. Machiavelli has become to be regarded as "the founder of modern day, secular politics. Locke, Marx and Machiavelli have different perceptions of human nature. The prince has been described as a manual for those who want to win and retain power. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. However, these ideas are not manifested explicitly to be topics that can be discussed until later. The prince cannot make people love him, but he has control over his peoples fear of him. writing your own paper, but remember to Accordingly men are always in a condition of strife and competition which threatens an open anarchy unless checked by the ruthless forces of the state.. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. 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Beings is consisted of the body being the vessel of the body being the of! View on human nature do so Prince is a handbook for how one rule. The state both texts convey the concept of human behavior are more essential than others and wisdom picking. Downfall of rulers that can be discussed until later because a soul does not have to be loved by people...