Machiavelli's and Hobbes' Views on Politics and Human Nature Essay Therefore, they have no fixed and independent nature. While reading through Machiavellis The Prince and Hobbes Leviathan, both introduced a common focus on political theory even though living approximately 100 years apart. There are good and bad decisions a prince can make. Finally, both texts convey the concept of the body being the vessel of the mind and soul. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an effectively governed principality.2 Though in come cases Machiavellis suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these views were derived out of concern Italys unstable political condition.3Though humanists of Machiavellis time believed that an individual had much to offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quick to mock human nature. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. It is extremely important to gain the support of the people because you will need it in times of trouble. Machiavelli believed that diplomacy, unlike military service, was of no significance for civic virtue, and that in foreign policy it was no substitute for arms and money. From the classical sense of the term virtue, Machiavelli interpretation of human nature shows a completely different angle and assumption compared to the modern definition and classical interpretation of the same. Although Machiavelli doubted that . He on one hand encouraged people to be more and more religious and on the other hand he also set certain strategies for the ruler to assume and pretend to be merciful, god fearing, righteous, religious and powerful but when it comes to the state the ruler can and should go to any extremes for the sake and the security of the state even if he has to be or is considered to be immoral. Machiavelli's view of human nature influences his recommendation for governing, different from other humanist at his time. In conclusion, the city develops the people as the people develop the city. Strauss concludes his 1958 book Thoughts on Machiavelli by proposing that this promotion of progress leads directly to the advent of new technologies being invented in both good and bad . By nature, men love property and material objects than his own people and other human beings. This would allow the prince to govern without being morally bound. The real nature of human beings is consisted of the totality of social relations. And because a soul does not have these characteristics, there is doubt on how it can be considered a person. 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. There are those who believe humans are inherently good and seek the best possible outcomes for society as a whole. 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. As long as the ruler is providing the m the safety and the security that they desire that is the safety and security of them, their family and that of their property they are sated and to also protect from any foreign invaders, and if the ruler is able to do this the masses are easy to rule and the state is well governed. Niccolo Machiavelli's View On Human Nature, Social/Political Psychology 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. Humans are insatiable but full of desires. In answering this, explain why Machiavelli holds the conception of human nature that you think he does - upon what, that is, does his conception rest? Machiavelli's The Prince was one of the first humanist works of the Renaissance. The prince cannot make people love him, but he has control over his peoples fear of him. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best The present article is a slightly revised version of my chapter on Machiavelli in this book. Machiavelli's View On Human Nature. In answering this, explain why Machiavelli holds the conception of human nature that you think he does - upon what, that is, does his conception rest? "7 He characterizes men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest of the state,"[and when the prince] is in danger they turn against [him]. Copyright 2003 - 2023 - UKEssays is a trading name of Business Bliss Consultants FZE, a company registered in United Arab Emirates. It was Machiavelli and his idea that there should be a separation of religion from politics; it was Machiavelli who divorced religion from politics and segregated them completely from one another like his separation of ethics and moral from politics. Machiavelli and Rousseau, both significant philosophers, had distinctive views on human nature and the relationship between the government and the governed. 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, In essence, human nature is evil; human beings are faithless to the words of the authority and do not always keep their promises. Rowe also brings up the issue with something being the same person, where he points out that there is no evidence to prove this. The Prince, This is a significant analysis of Niccolo Machiavellis book The Prince. On the other hand, "The Origin of Civil Society," an essay written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a significant modern philosopher, in 1762, focuses on the issue of the . The prince has been described as a manual for those who want to win and retain power. Copyright 2022 service.graduateway.com. Without these attributes there was no way that a prince could hold together their state and their people. 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. 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. Both authors go on to talk on how their people react based on the prince and princesse act. Malevolence, dictatorship, or Tupac Shakur? To simplify, Machiavelli says princes are obligated to lie in certain circumstances. Machiavelli postulates that a prince must also deceive those who attempt to flatter him. Machiavellis The Prince may be thought of the more recognizable of the two in the present, but people in the present day have many of the same ideas that, Having an open mind is another characteristic people turn to when contemplating what an ideal person is. All rights reserved. Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYYZnZJB62V6IVI1gAuiZw/joinComplete Notes of Classical Political Philosophy:- htt. In Machiavellis book, The Prince, he maintains a harsh perspective on reality. Then for Machiavelli he talks about how a prince should show no fear instead for him to show that he is the one with power. The state according to Machiavelli has no important relation to the church but it also has no relation to God or any other super natural power for the matter of fact, he says that the state needs religion only as an instrumental object for furthering its own object. For him the ruler should be an intelligent to use religion in such a way that the masses are happy and so that it is for the better administration of the state. Machiavelli, on the other hand, prefers to be in control and tells people this in The Prince. What you should think about is cunning or unscrupulousness, The ends justify the means. The father of modern political theory, Niccolo Machiavelli was a 15th century political theorist and advisor who insisted we shouldnt think that politicians are bad or unelectable for manipulating people. Nevertheless I believe, if we are to keep our free will, that it may be true that fortune controls half of our actions indeed but allows us the direction of the other half, or almost half (Machiavelli, 8). 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. Unlike Machiavelli, most humanists of the Renaissance strongly believed that each individual played an extremely important role in society. In order to fight human beings of this nature a prince must have enormous power. Locke and Marx both believe human nature is portrayed as good, Locke believes in . He feels that men respond more strongly to fear than love. Machiavelli also says that human by nature are wicked and aggressive, in the words of Sabine, Human nature is moreover, profoundly aggressive and acquisitive, men aim to keep what they have and to acquire more. Plato emphasis the question on what is justice for the people as well as for the Kallipolis and whether a just person is better off than an unjust person. How does a prince who has just conquered a state gain the obedience of his subjects if those subjects are characterized by a human nature governed by fickleness, greed, fear, and the law of self-interest? Although Machiavelli doubted that this form of government could ever be established it did appear several years after he wrote The Prince. Nevertheless, it enhanced the virt of even the strongest prince. An important aspect of this theory is the assumption that human nature is constant. Please check back weekly to see what we have added. 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. Thus the ruler in order to rule should be highly pretentious and if he pretends to the masses then they would be easy to rule conditioned that the ruler should protect their initial priorities regarding safety and security of them their family and their property. Along with these qualities, Machiavelli also exerts his views on the properties of human nature, power, war, and the responsibilities of the leaders towards their followers. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being, Machiavelli says this because when a Prince is feared people will respect him and do what he says and they will love him and praise him. *You can also browse our support articles here >. 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. Machiavelli did not see everyone as equal beings to take charge and have full responsibility in being a suitable leader. Machiavelli had discussed this in the beginning of The Prince about the human nature. He gave his views on the na. He was even considered as a person who is against religion and one who does not believes and because of this he was disliked and opposed many a times. Machiavellis views regarding politics, religion and morality are essentially based on his view of human nature. "4 Machiavelli generally distrusted citizens, stating that "in time of adversity, when the state is in need of it's citizens there are few to be found. Human made up of two parts; body and soul in which body as a vehicle for the soul. Machiavelli did not, however, disagree with Cicero on all points. Machiavelli says that a ruler should protect the people, their families and their properties and he can rule over them without any hassle. Copyright 2022 IPL.org All rights reserved. 2 It is natural for humans to desire more, and humans are praised rather than condemned when they do so. Pharapreising and interpretation due to major educational standards released by a particular educational institution as well as tailored to your educational institution if different; the nature of the people thoroughly, and one of the populace to know the nature of princes" (Machiavelli 1950, 4). In chapter eighteen, Machiavelli states, a wise ruler cannot, and should not, keep his word when doing so is to his disadvantage, and when the reasons that led him to promise to do so no longer apply (pg. However, Machiavelli holds that the primary objective of the state is to serve itself and the prince. A leaders cruelty enables him to make the decisions necessary for the kingdom, while also being miserly to keep the people happy. Inside every human being, show more content Brutus's loyalty to his most trusted friend, Caesar, went astray when a problem arose among his Roman peers, and the betrayal was committed against Caesar which resulted in death. [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. All work is written to order. Summary. In the medieval paradigm, people paid much attention on religions and humans spirituality. It is also possible to be both feared and loved but it is very difficult and only great rulers are able to create the balance., The Prince tells readers how to use power correctly; it also tells readers how to sustain the kingdoms power and prevent the kingdoms decay. Locke, Marx and Machiavelli have different perceptions of human nature. Distinctive views on human nature is portrayed as good, locke believes in Business Consultants! 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