Free Will In Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince

In Machiavelli’s “The Prince” dating back to the renaissance is one of the most controversial pieces of writing still studied to this day. Machiavelli believes that we are born either powerful or born as nobody’s or as “private citizens” as he describes it (Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapters 12-18). Within this piece Machiavelli outlines and provides insight to human behavior as a way of set guidelines for future princes to abide by so that they can establish a successful reign while in power. In return it should help create a peaceful and secure kingdom for themselves and their followers. He believed that the end always justified the means and that there were only two ways a person could come to power, prowess and fortune. However virtue was a big characteristic as well, on account of it showed strength in character and portrayed

The disunity of Italy, was a strong example for Machiavelli, for a condition a Republic should avoid since it would lead to tremendous instability and would obstruct the Prince from taking absolute power over his Republic. Furthermore, Machiavelli’s experiences within this chaotic state left a

Niccolò Machiavelli was a noticeable figure during the early sixteenth century. He is most famously recognized as the author of The Prince, a handbook for politicians which inspired the term “Machiavellian”. His writing also solidified his position as the father of modern political theory. His political view stemmed from observing the division of Italy into small city-state systems during the late fifteenth century. According to Machiavelli, the success of the city-states was dependent on the effectiveness of the autocrats who headed these states. Through observation, he saw what was necessary for an authoritarian state to be successful. He was bursting with theories, the first being that he believed that the state and its laws were a creation of man that must be protected by the prince. He also argued that conflict could be useful under the organization of a ruler. Another idea that Machiavelli strongly professed, was his thought that men are not equal. His belief was that some men

In Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, Machiavelli redefines what it means to be a “good prince.” Prior to the Renaissance, the notion of “good” implied one who was morally righteous and virtuous. However, Machiavelli’s concern lies with appearances rather than reality. In this way, he believes a prince must only seem good, but not truly be good.

Before diving into free will, it is important to note that only a half of it can be controlled through human affairs, the other is fortuna. Machiavelli’s use of fortuna is to describe all of the situations and things that a person cannot control. (The Prince, 67) He says that fortuna (luck) directly results a prince's success or failure. He indicates in the text that one should bend fortuna to their own will. This leads us into the topic of free will. Machiavelli’s views regarding free will, to be put simply, is that he believes humans do have it. He says that if they didn’t, then energy and a persons abilities would mean nothing. In a way, he rebukes the Medici by saying that God wants people to act and to have successes, instead of sitting around and waiting on something that may never come. Even though Machiavelli believes in free will, he definitely seems harsh when describing the common people. Machiavelli calls the average person “fickle, easy to persuade, and nearly incapable of conviction.” (The Prince, 17). He goes on to say that the common people are more focused on not being oppressed then actually using free will to achieve anything. So even though people do have free will, they often are content with their current situation than to pull themselves up into a

The copiers for the Center Director’s staff were difficult to replace as they can’t go days without being able to print/copy/scan. The second challenge of replacing these copiers was that the new copiers were being removed from area where executives’ offices are located. I asked the vendor to send me their best team to deliver the machines. The vendor’s team was able to get the copiers out quickly and quietly. I put in the tickets for the copiers to be setup a week before each copier arrived, so that the tier II team could work with the systems and network teams to get the copier working within a week. The IT staff at my request made these tickets the highest priority. The Center Director’s staff had copiers that were outdated and had

Niccolo Machiavelli is a very pragmatic political theorist. His political theories are directly related to the current bad state of affairs in Italy that is in dire need of a new ruler to help bring order to the country. Some of his philosophies may sound extreme and many people may call him evil, but the truth is that Niccolo Machiavelli’s writings are only aimed at fixing the current corruptions and cruelties that filled the Italian community, and has written what he believed to be the most practical and efficient way to deal with it. Three points that Machiavelli illustrates in his book The Prince is first, that “it is better to be feared then loved,”# the second

There are many important concepts to being successful leader. “The Prince,” a classic non-fiction written by Machiavelli in 1532 is an interesting story that gives readers a guide on how to rule a kingdom. It also, provides the do’s and dont’s on how to become a successful prince. In the story, Machiavelli discusses three themes: free will, hatred and laws and arms. Albert Lebrun followed these three ideas he had his own free will, he was feared by his people and had what Machiavelli describes to be the main foundation of every state. Albert Lebrun’s life shows that Machiavelli’s advice is still relevant today.

Niccolo Machiavelli was a unique politician, philosopher, and writer who lived in Florence, Italy during the European Renaissance period of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is most famously known for writing his ruthless handbook for rulers, The Prince, during his time in exile in 1513. This contentious piece of literature has been fondly referred to as “the guidebook for tyrants and totalitarians,” according to the documentary, Machiavelli: The Prince by director Jett Rink. However, the document has also been credited with positively paving the way for ethnic and religious toleration, individual rights, and modern democracies all throughout history; and it inevitably set the stage for future governments to come. In this way, it is

Machiavelli’s ruler traits may be more realistic than Plato’s as they are representative of human nature, but Machiavelli fails to give a “perfect” ideation of his prince. Machiavelli uses the example of Cesare Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI, as his hero. Borgia was instructed to control Romagna whose citizens were causing political unrest and not paying taxes. To do this, Borgia appointed a duke, Messer Remirro de Orco, to bring order to the territory through violence if necessary. De Orco goes to Romagna and commits murder to have people fall in line.

Machiavelli believes that historic events are the consequence of fortune and circumstance. For proof of circumstance, he brings up Italy, “...an open country without barriers and without any defense. For if it had been defended by proper valor... either this invasion would not have made the great changes it has made or it would not have come at all,”(121). If the circumstances for Italy would've been different with better protection , the invasion against Italy would not have occurred. For proof of fortune, he says, “Because men are seen... to get there by various methods; one with caution, another with haste; one by force, another by skill; one by patience, another by its opposite; and each one succeeds in reaching the goal by a different method. One

"And since it is Fortune that does everything, it is she who wishes us to leave her alone, to be quiet and not give her trouble, and wait until she allows us to act again; then you will do well to strive harder, to observe things more closely...." (67)* Letter to Francesco Vettori in Rome December 10, 1513.

When individuals think of the Italian Renaissance, what often first comes to mind are the works of artists such as Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Few however, consider the tumultuous state of Italian politics. Due to just how influential contemporary politics were on Machiavelli’s political philosophy, it is of the utmost importance to have a basic understanding of Italy’s history prior to The Prince’s publication. Since the collapse of the

Throughout The Prince the manipulation of human nature is advocated as a crucial component of effective leadership and consequently obtaining stability. Italy’s tumultuous political situation catalysed Machiavelli’s writing of The Prince, the advisory handbook an attempt to spur the current rulers of Florence, The Medici, to remove foreign powers from Italy and achieve sovereignty in order to maintain stability. Machiavelli’s assertion that power is obtained either by “luck or deservedly” is reflective of his 16th century Renaissance Italian context, which valued the humanist notion of individual agency and illustrates Italian society’s shift away from the Middle Ages ethos. Machiavelli’s humanist perspective underpins his argument that a ruler’s ability to

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was written during the time when Italy’s current situation favored the emergence of a new prince; a prince who will bring happiness and prosperity to the Italian citizens, but also unite Italy as one country against the Swiss, French, and the Spaniards. Past civil wars and princes have failed to strengthen Italy because its military system was old and inoperative. Moreover, he explains that there is a difference between how a prince should live and how he actually lives, but the prince must learn not to be virtuous. Most importantly, he highlights that all princes should establish on a strong foundation for his empire to thrive, flourish, and above all protected at all cost.