Ma. Monica L. Benitez
GESTSOC Y20
Niccolò Machiavelli: An Immoral Author and Philosopher?
Niccolò Machiavelli was a 16th century Florentine philosopher known primarily for his
political ideas (James Fieser & Dowden, n.d.). He was born in Florence in 1469, where he
received an exceptional humanist education before entering public service as Second
Chancellor in 1498 under the Florentine Republic. Machiavelli’s diplomatic endeavors across
Europe and popular writings, which included "The Prince" and "Discourses on the Ten Books of
Titus Livy," solidified his reputation as a political thinker. Despite initial persecution by the Medici
regime, he later found favor and undertook various commissions until his death in 1527
(Nederman, 2023).
Machiavelli's most groundbreaking work to date is his book "The Prince". According to
Harrison (2011), Machiavelli created "The Prince" as a pragmatic handbook for rulers, with the
purpose of focusing on practical realities rather than idealized notions, which is consistent with
his political realism. Through this lens, "The Prince" provided a demoralized view of the realm of
governance, with Machiavelli favoring effectiveness over moral concerns. Despite being widely
seen as amoral due to the way they emphasized need over moral considerations, Machiavelli's
theories have endured throughout history as a guide to political strategy, and his works advised
rulers to prioritize self-reliance and military prowess. While his doctrines have been interpreted
differently by philosophers including Leo Strauss and historians such as Friedrich Meinecke,
Machiavelli's emphasis on virtù, a unique combination of personal virtue and strategic insight, is
crucial to his political philosophy (Mansfield, 2024).
Machiavelli's contribution is his pioneering departure from the typical combination of
politics and ethics, which granted autonomy to the study of politics. Despite failing to spark
substantial political movements or revolutions during his lifetime, "The Prince" remains a classic,
and while Machiavelli's book failed to have the desired direct impact on political history, it does
provoke thought on realism's limitations and the continuing power of the human imagination in
producing transformational societal change (Harrison, 2011). Machiavelli's role in Western
thinking is still debated, with researchers arguing the novelty of his theories and their influence
on future political thought, including the American Constitution. While some believe he is based
in classical antiquity, others argue for his modernity, which sparked ongoing scholarly discussion
concerning his political morality, state conception, and religious beliefs (Nederman, 2023).
Machiavelli's position between tradition and innovation created internal contradictions
with his ideas, which made it difficult to characterize him as either ancient or modern
(Nederman, 2023). However, as Mansfield (2024) elaborated, Machiavelli's legacy is defined by
his perceived status as the inventor of modernity, despite his disdain for the shortcomings of his
contemporary moderns. Machiavelli’s ideas hinted at the possibility of a "perpetual republic" that
would overcome the flaws of previous political orders. Although the scope of his ambition is
debatable, Machiavelli believed that this "perpetual republic" embodied themes including the
conquest of nature, irreversible progress, secularism, and the pursuit of public good through
private gain (Mansfield, 2024). Nonetheless, scholars unanimously recognized Machiavelli’s
excellence, with emphasis on the creativity, profound insights, and literary grace reflected in his
works.
Ma. Monica L. Benitez
GESTSOC Y20
References
Harrison, R. P. (2011, January 1). What Can You Learn from Machiavelli? Yale Insights.
https://insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-can-you-learn-machiavelli
James Fieser, & Dowden, B. (Eds.). (n.d.). Niccolò Machiavelli (1469—1527). Internet
Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/machiave/
Mansfield, H. (2024, March 29). Niccolo Machiavelli | Beliefs, Books, The Prince, Philosophy,
Accomplishments, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Niccolo-Machiavelli
Nederman, C. (2023, December 6). Niccolò Machiavelli (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/machiavelli/