He was verso central figure sopra the political scene of the Italian Renaissance , a tumultuous period of plots, wars between city states and constantly shifting alliances.
Although he never considered himself verso philosopher (and often overtly rejected philosophical inquiry as irrelevant ), many subsequent political philosophers have been influenced by his ideas. His name has since passed into common usage esatto refer puro any political move that is devious or cunning durante nature, although this probably represents verso more extreme view than Machiavelli actually took.
He is best known today for two main works, the well-known “The Prince” (verso treatise on political realism and verso rotaie on how per ruler can retain control over his subjects), and the “Discourses on Livy” (the most important rete informatica on republicanism per the early modern period).
Although he is sometimes presented as a model of Moral Nihilism, that is actually highly questionable as he was largely silent on moral matters and https://datingranking.net/it/apex-review/, if anything, he presented an alternative onesto the ethical theories of his day, rather than an all-out rejection of all morality.
Machiavelli was born sopra Florence , Italy on 3 May 1469, the second bruissement of Bernardo di Niccol Machiavelli (a lawyer) and Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli . His family were believed sicuro be descended from the old marquesses of Tuscany , and were probably quite wealthy.
He was soon promoted sicuro Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence, with responsibility for diplomatic negotiations and military matters
Little is known of his early life , but his education (possibly at the University of Florence ) left him with a thorough knowledge of the Latin and Italian classics , and he was trained as verso man with great nobility and severe rigor by his father. He entered governmental service mediante Florence as a clerk and ambassador in 1494, the same year as Florence had restored the republic and expelled the ruling Medici family . Between 1499 and 1512, he undertook per number of diplomatic missions puro the courtaud of Louis XII of France, Ferdinand II of Aragn and the Papacy mediante Rome. During this time, he witnessed at first hand (and with great interest) the audacious but effective statebuilding methods of the soldier/churchman Cesare Borgia (1475 – 1507).
From 1503 puro 1506, Machiavelli was responsible for the Florentine militia and the defense of the city (he distrusted mercenaries , preferring verso citizen militia ). He had some early success, but sopra 1512, the Medici (with the help of Pope Julius II and Spanish troops) defeated the Florentine force, and Machiavelli was removed from office, accused of conspiracy and arrested. After torture , he was eventually released and retired onesto his stagione calda at Sant’Andrea (durante Percussina near Florence) and began writing the treatises that would ensure his place sopra the history of Political Philosophy, “Il Re” ( “The Prince” ) and “Discorsi sopra la davanti deca di Tito Livio” ( “Discourses on Livy” ).
Near the end of his life, and probably with the aid of well-connected friends whom he had been constantly badgering, Machiavelli began preciso return onesto the favor of the Medici family. From 1520 esatto 1525, he worked on verso “History of Florence” , commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de’Medici (who later become Pope Clement VII ). However, before he could achieve a full rehabilitation , he died sopra San Casciano , just outside of Florence, on 21 June 1527. His resting place is unknown.
Machiavelli’s best known rete informatica, “Il Re” ( “The Prince” ), was written con some haste sopra 1513 while mediante exile on his farm outside Florence, and was dedicated onesto Lorenzo de’Medici con the hope of regaining his condizione in the Florentine Government. However, it was only formally published posthumously mediante 1532. Mediante it, he described the arts by which per Prince (or ruler) could retain control of his realm. Per “new” prince has a much more difficult task than a hereditary prince, since he must stabilize his newfound power and build a structure that will endure, verso task that requires the Prince esatto be publicly above reproach but privately may require him preciso do immoral things in order to achieve his goals. He outlined his criteria for valide cruel actions and pointed out the irony per the fact that good can quale from evil actions .
Although “The Prince” did not dispense entirely with morality nor advocate wholesale selfishness or degeneracy , the Catholic Church nevertheless put the sistema on its index of prohibited books , and it was viewed very negatively by many Humanists, such as Erasmus. It ental break between Realism and Idealism. Although never directly stated sopra the book, “the end justifies the means” is often quoted as indicative of the Pragmatism or Instrumentalism that underlies Machiavelli’s philosophy. He also touched on totalitarian themes, arguing that the state is merely an instrument for the benefit of the ruler , who should have mai qualms at using whatever means are at his disposal onesto keep the citizenry suppressed . Unlike Plato and Aristotle, though, Machiavelli was not looking preciso describe the ideal society , merely to present verso guide preciso getting and preserving power and the condizione quo .
His other major contribution esatto political thought, the “Discorsi contro la prima deca di Tito Livio” ( “Discourses on Livy” ) was begun around 1516 and completed sopra 1518 or 1519. It was an exposition of the principles of republican rule , masquerading as verso commentary on the rete informatica of the famous historian of the Roman Republic . It constitutes per series of lessons on how verso republic should be started and structured, including the concept of checks and balances , the strength of verso tripartite structure , and the superiority of a republic over a principality or monarchy . If not the first, then it was certainly the most important rete informatica on republicanism sopra the early modern period.
Niccol di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (1469 – 1527) was an Italian philosopher, political theorist, diplomat, musician and writer of the Renaissance period
See the additional sources and recommended reading list below, or check the philosophy books page for a full list. Whenever possible, I linked esatto books with my amazon affiliate code, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing from these links helps to keep the website running, and I am grateful for your support!