Tuesday, October 15, 2019
The Prince by Machiavelli Essay Example for Free
The Prince by Machiavelli Essay In Chapter 25 of his masterwork The Prince, Machiavelli attempted to describe and define fate and how it could be controlled in both political and personal life. In defining ones life and actions against fate, Machiavelli saw the importance of forming a balance of the human tendencies of caution and impulsiveness. Machiavelli favored impulsiveness in regard to human actions directed towards fate, but he saw legitimate value in both mindsets. What he saw as most important was a willingness to change in the face of fate, as the ability to adapt is most important when facing change.            Machiavelli used the image of a torrential flood to describe fate. To Machiavelli, fate was like the flood in that â€Å"everything flies before it, all yield to its violence, without being able in any way to withstand it; and yet, though its nature be such, it does not follow therefore that men, when the weather becomes fair, shall not make provision, both with defences and barriers, in such a manner that, rising again, the waters may pass away by canal, and their force be neither so unrestrained nor so dangerous.†(Machiavelli, 1505, Chapter 25) This implies that what Machiavelli truly meant by fate is uncontrollable change, outcomes in the world that directly affect those that are not necessarily involved in those changes, social or technological, political or personal. These changes happen without the consent of all and therefore many merely must roll with the punches, although men can make plans that will help them roll with those punches when the time for change arrives. To be sure, change is coming, although one cannot be sure exactly how or when it will come but can make provisions that will be helpful when it does.            After comparing fate to a torrential flood, Machiavelli went on to compare fate to a lady, in order to describe how he would recommend mastering it. Machiavelli used a fairly non-modern view in the treatment of women to describe fate, saying that the best way to control fate, and women, was to beat and ill-use them. Furthermore, he saw that those bold and adventurous in spirit were more likely to control both women and fate and that young men are best equipped to handle both. While Machiavellis comparison between fate and women is easily seen as a bit sexist now, the comparison was certainly far more palatable when he made it. Further, the assertion that the young and bold are best equipped to deal with change is probably correct; the young are less set in their ways and have more energy with which to attack new challenges. While the simile is certainly not politically correct, it certainly introduces a worthwhile observation.            It is an intriguing program to attempt to synthesize Machiavellis project in The Prince with the modern project of employing science and technology to overcome nature, both of the world and human. Machiavellis aim was certainly to investigate ways to overcome human nature. If a man was to act in accordance with human nature, Machiavelli saw, he would surely be bowled over by the tide of fate. Machiavelli went so far as to make a case study, a very modern concept, of Pope Julius II to show that decisive, aggressive action was the best methodology to combat change; further, he surely was not afraid to invoke images of technology stemming the natural tide. It seems most likely, however, that while Machiavelli was attempting to make observations that were ahead of his time, he was not absolutely modern in his mindset. Machiavellis chief goal of The Prince was to describe how a political leader could most effectively use political power. This serves as an incomplete view of modern politics, which in addition to aiming at efficiency in power usage also means to maximize the social benefit of that usage. Machiavelli centered on the practicality of politics without looking at its utility. He surely spoke of how to employ technology and science to serve human desire, but he did not define desire in a more complex, democratic, modern state, which should not be surprising, because the mindset had yet to arise. References Machiavelli. (1505). The Prince. Retrieved from: http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince00.htm
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