He was a central figure con 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 per 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 sicuro refer sicuro any political move that is devious or cunning in nature, although this probably represents per 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 guide on how per ruler can retain control over his subjects), and the “Discourses on Livy” (the most important sistema on republicanism sopra the early modern period).
Although he is sometimes presented as per model of Moral Nihilism, that is actually highly questionable as he was largely silent on moral matters and, if anything, he presented an alternative esatto the ethical theories of his day, rather than an all-out rejection of all morality.
Machiavelli was born con Florence , Italy on 3 May 1469, the second bruissement of Bernardo di Niccol Machiavelli (per lawyer) and Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli . His family were believed preciso be descended from the old marquesses of Tuscany , and were probably quite wealthy.
He was soon promoted esatto 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 per 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 durante 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 durante 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 preciso 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 è lavalife gratis 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 to his estate at Sant’Andrea (durante Percussina near Florence) and began writing the treatises that would ensure his place in the history of Political Philosophy, “Il Principe” ( “The Prince” ) and “Discorsi riguardo a la prima 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 sicuro return to the favor of the Medici family. From 1520 puro 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 per full rehabilitation , he died mediante San Casciano , just outside of Florence, on 21 June 1527. His resting place is unknown.
Machiavelli’s best known work, “Il Sovrano” ( “The Prince” ), was written durante some haste in 1513 while mediante exile on his farm outside Florence, and was dedicated to Lorenzo de’Medici con the hope of regaining his condizione mediante the Florentine Government. However, it was only formally published posthumously mediante 1532. Mediante it, he described the arts by which a Prince (or ruler) could retain control of his realm. A “new” prince has verso much more difficult task than per hereditary prince, since he must stabilize his newfound power and build per structure that will endure, per task that requires the Prince onesto be publicly above reproach but privately may require him preciso do immoral things in order to achieve his goals. He outlined his criteria for acceptable cruel actions and pointed out the irony sopra the fact that good can ad esempio from evil actions .
Although “The Prince” did not dispense entirely with morality nor advocate wholesale selfishness or degeneracy , the Catholic Church nevertheless put the work 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 durante 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 niente affatto qualms at using whatever means are at his disposal esatto keep the citizenry suppressed . Unlike Plato and Aristotle, though, Machiavelli was not looking puro describe the ideal society , merely esatto present verso binario preciso getting and preserving power and the ceto quo .
His other major contribution sicuro political thought, the “Discorsi su la precedentemente deca di Tito Livio” ( “Discourses on Livy” ) was begun around 1516 and completed durante 1518 or 1519. It was an exposition of the principles of republican rule , masquerading as a commentary on the work of the famous historian of the Roman Republic . It constitutes a series of lessons on how per republic should be started and structured, including the concept of checks and balances , the strength of per tripartite structure , and the superiority of a republic over a principality or monarchy . If not the first, then it was certainly the most important work 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
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