Machiavelli and Morality Essay

When reading Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince, unrivaled cant help but grasp Machiavellis argument that chasteity and politics can non make up in the same forum. However, when examining Machiavellis various concepts in depth, one can conclude that perhaps his suggested abandon and evil is fueled by a good end of sorts. low and foremost, one moldiness keep the understanding that this book is aimed solely at the Prince or Emperor with the express purpose of aiding him in maintaining effect. Therefore, it is subjective to grasp his concepts of fortune and virtue.These two contrary concepts reflect the manner in which a Prince should govern slice minimizing all chance and uncertainty. This kind of governing demands violence to be taken, however this is only do for the unrelenting purpose of maintaining his throne, and generating both fear and admiration from his deal. In all cases of violence, Machiavelli limits the amount of violence that needs to be taken down to the min imum, and most cases the victims of these acts are enemies of the concourse.Behind the violence, the prince is essentially taking the role of the villain and anticipate all bad acts so that his battalion do not have to suffer and commit the acts themselves. In addition, all the Prince asks for is to not threaten his power and to respect it. In the 16th Century, this request is feeble compared to those of former(a) hierarchical Monarchies. In the end, Machiavellis Prince assumes all the burden of violence while leaving his noble people to act as they feel accordingly without worry of their diely hood. This is Machiavellis ultimate stroke of morality. to begin with examining how the inter military action of violence and politics lead to morality in the end, it is important to analyze exactly what Machiavelli demands of his Prince. First and foremost, Machiavelli harps upon the concept of fortune and virtue. By fortune, he means that everything is left to chance, while nothing will cover that a certain event will occur. Machiavelli writes that a Great long standing Prince never rules with fortune. by risk and chance, one leaves him open to failure thus action should be withheld if an element of chance is involved. Machiavelli ties virtue very closely to that of prudence.He defines virtue as acting exceptionally and draws a distinction among morality and virtue. In many respects Machiavelli defines virtue by prudence. If a regulation is able to symmetry his violence, keep his subjects appeased, and have a dire understanding of his threats, then in Machiavellis eyes the ruler has a strong virtue. What must be understood is that the throne is always in jeopardy and individual is always there to try to knock the prince off his pedestal. This is a prime understanding that a prince must have, and fuels the infamous argument by Machiavelli that it is better to be feared than loved.Machiavelli explains that, for the most part, love is very subjective and lastl y will subside unless further concessions are made to appease his subjects. In addition, people only dread about their personal conveniences and a prince would have to overextend himself if he were to be loved by all. Fear, however, is not subjective and has a universal effect on all his people. Fear can be attained by sporadic violent acts. One must understand, however, that massive amounts of violence can not be done because it would portray the Prince as tyrant, and might stir up his people to revolt against him.The acts must be calculated, concise, and serve a direct purpose not only to his benefit but to the peoples excessively. Despite what might be assumed, Machiavelli is really developing a principality based round the people, where the Princes actions are merely to save his own head from the chopping block. In essence, Machiavellis ideal principality sustains a genuine sense of morality behind the violence that must be subjected in collection to maintain stability. Lo oking at his plans subjectively, Machiavelli could very easily have broken down the subjects in a hierarchical fashion or forced upon them large sum taxes and duties.He does not do this, preferably opting simply for the respect of the people and the lack of treachery in affairs regarding his power. The people in his commonwealth can live with tranquility, and pursue whatever they so desire. This freedom of the people and ability to act as they feel is more than a simple convenience. Personal pursuit of happiness of all is given by the Prince but at his expense. All that the people must do is respect and not threaten the Princes power. On the contrary, the Prince sacrifices his own motives, morals, and personal happiness so that his subjects may have them.Essentially, Machiavelli paints the Prince as a delivery boy figure. It is the Prince who takes away the sins of the world, so to speak. He gives up his morals so that other may keep and cherish theirs. Machiavelli firmly insists that politics and morality can not co-exist. The main reason is that moral behavior is uniform and can be predictable. Consistency and predictability are significannot ly weak components of a ruler, and could be exploited by his enemies. When a pattern of action is established, conspirators can conspire and plan an overthrow.These conspirators would then plunder and pillage as they came to power therefore worsening the situation in the kingdom. The people then would become the victims, and anarchy would soon shift key out creating all kinds of disorder. So, although the intentions of moral political actions are good, in the end they will lead to scrofulous acts. The actions he takes are not just violent tyrannical activities rather they are sacrifices. He is the one who must live with the guilt of sin, not his constitutes. In terms of morality, the Prince does not demand any unmoral action from his subjects.He shoulders it all. It is also the Prince who, although it is also for his personal safety, eliminates the tyrants that not only threaten his throne but also his people. Along the same lines as halting anarchy or riots, the elimination of other power peckish individuals evaporates the threat of oppression on the people from another exterior source. One thing that remains unchanging in his principality is that people maintain their honor and esteem, and this unselfish sacrifice is what makes the Princes actions in actuality sort of moral.Another aspect that one can not help but ignore is that fact the Prince assumes the government agency of ruler at the costs and expectations. For creation a Prince, he must at times be prudent and aware of his position with the people. Machiavelli writes the Prince must be seen as moral by the people. The fact underlies the wideness of morality for Machiavelli. Without morality and without the notion of morality in a Prince, civil disorder will occur. Morality, with its uncertainties, provides at the very least a common non-violent base in which subjects have a set of rules could live by.What makes morality important to the Prince is that it also allows him a statute of sorts. For example, if people operate by their morals than the Prince has not to worry much(prenominal) problems as stealing, killing and other immoral actions. Therefore, just by appearing to be moral, morality can be used as a tool to control and harness the people below him. As Prince, Machiavellis existence and power is constantly threatened. However, it is not simply a descent or power that the Prince would lose if he is to be overthrown from his position. It is, in turn, his life that the Prince would lose if he were overtaken.Therefore, it could be conceived that the Prince is acting and utilizing violence simply to save his own life. Saving a life, even it is your own, follows within the moral code. You could though look at the situation from a different perspective. Machiavelli argues that the only noteworthy posi tion a moral person can assume is that of a martyr. However, I disagree with this statement because although one could be reveled as a martyr, the possible effects of a new princes statutes far outweigh the benefits of being a martyr.As a martyr people simply become energized and support your cause. However, if a Prince is such martyr, that would mean a new Prince is in power and could instill far worse conditions upon the people. Therefore, with his subjects as the cap priority, morality demands that the Prince must stay alive and allow the people to prosper under his free monarchy. Machiavellis Prince is a book in which Machiavelli outlines the actions a Prince must take to hold and maintain power in a principality.Within the context of the book, Machiavelli brings forth the notion that prudent violence must be done in order to maintain the throne. In addition, he strongly expresses the ideology that a Prince can not be both moral and political. However, behind this argument lays the foundation of morality. The Princes evil actions although not moral seem to sustain morality for the subjects within his principality. The Prince assumes all immoral behaviors and thus, by sacrifices himself for the people, is indeed moral in the end.