Socrates And Niccolo Machiavelli - 1735 Words

Essay 1: Socrates and Machiavelli Although Socrates and Niccolo Machiavelli lived in different time periods, the political climate that their philosophies were founded on were very similar. The trial of Socrates began after the Peloponnesian War when the new Spartan Tyranny took over the Athenian government. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods by the Spartan government. In the eyes of the Spartan government Socrates is a gadfly because of his posing of upsetting questions directed at authorities. This posed a major threat to the new society they were trying to create in Athens after the war was over. Plato wrote The Apology and Crito from the perspective of Socrates after he was put on trial, found†¦show more content†¦He believed that the sovereign is primarily judged based on his success and not on the process he took to get there or the characteristics he displays. Socrates on the other hand would question the nobles until they felt inferior and encourage the government to become more virtuous, a suggestion that Machiavelli says his Prince would shut down: â€Å"it is necessary that he should be prudent enough to avoid the scandal of those vices which would lose him the state, and guard himself if able to, he can indulge them with less scruple† (Machiavelli 57). Machiavelli believes that in some cases it is better to harbor bad characteristics if it means protecting the state, adding to his point that the ends justify the means. Socrates was a firm believer that the pursuit of truth and perfecting the soul outweighed the privileges of being the wealthy and honorable leader that Machiavelli describes. Socrates believed that extra riches would not bring extra happiness and the only real knowledge is that we know nothing. No body or ruler is truly wise or â€Å"wealthy† of knowledge until they admit that they really know nothing, start to ask questions and get educated on matters that they are unfamiliar with. Only then will the aristoc rats and rulers truly be able to be successful in leading a democratic society. Machiavelli’s Prince uses the laws of society and his power to control the population just enough so they didn’t feel like they were beingShow MoreRelatedNiccolo Machiavelli And Socrates1768 Words   |  8 Pagesphilosophers. Odds are, Niccolà ² Machiavelli and Socrates are among the five. Growing up in different times with similar abundant political turmoil and uncertainty, Machiavelli and Socrates developed ideas of how to deal with such unrest. On one hand, Machiavelli’s ideas resulted in a work titled The Prince, informing leaders how he believed they should conduct themselves in order to be effective. In Machiavelli’s mind, an effective leader is one that keeps his state united. Socrates, however, denouncesRead MoreThe Political Philosophy Of Niccolo Machiavelli And Socrates1444 Words   |  6 PagesAmong the most well-known and notorious philosophers, Niccolo Machiavelli and Socrates laid the groundwork for western political philosophy and modern day politics. Though both lived through times of political transition and war, the fragility of their politics, violence of their wars, and the leaders they lived under influenced the development of their differing ideologies about the governing of principalities. From Machiavelli’s experience, came, â€Å"The Prince,† a guidebook about the importance ofRead MoreSocrates Vs Niccolo Machiavelli Essay1606 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates and Niccolo Machiavelli are revered as some of the most influential thinkers of their respective times. Both of these thinkers developed their thoughts while Athens and Florence, their respective cities, faced political unrest. By questioning the people of Athens through their period of turmoil following a shift in government, Socrates was able to formulate opinions regarding how a government should operate and how people should rule. Centuries later during the Renaissance era, Machiavelli’sRead MorePolitical Theorists, Niccolo Machiavelli And Socrates1630 Words   |  7 PagesPolitical theorists, Niccolo Machiavelli and Socrates, formulated their thoughts in heightened political climates in their respective countries leading to their definitive and explicit opinions surrounding how a governm ental system should be run. The government systems proposed by both theorists are vastly different due to what each individual prioritizes in terms of political necessities. Machiavelli’s concept is to describe the means in obtaining power in order to define a political structure thatRead MoreThe Last Days Of Socrates And Niccolo Machiavelli s The Prince And The Discourses1651 Words   |  7 PagesLast Days of Socrates, and Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince and The Discourses. Both pieces take place during political uncertainty with surrounding societal turmoil. Each take a different approach to how these issues must be dealt with. They each have their own construct of an ideal political regime which, at times overlap, but at others do not. Machiavelli seeks to gain power and wealth while Socrates seeks to gain knowledge and justice. It is because of these differences that Socrates would disapproveRead MoreComparsion of Realism and Idealism in Niccolo Machiavelli ´s The Prince and Socrates ´ Plato ´s Republic1101 Words   |  5 PagesWhen speaking of Niccolà ² Machiavelli from The Prince and Socrates, from Plato’s Republic, there is no way to avoid the clash between realism and idealism. The contrasting of both of these states of minds, when it comes to ruling a city, per se, is fascinating because, while they are extremely different, they’re perceiving the same objective: ruling a civilization successfully. Machiavelli uses the concepts of virtà ¹, fortuna, and free-will to describe political success. On the other hand, in TheRead MoreCompare And Contrast Socrates And Machiavelli1419 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates vs. Machiavelli: The meaning of truth As philosophers, both Socrates and Niccolo Machiavelli developed theories in response to the warring political environment around them. However, the theories and principles developed by the two philosophers are vastly different in regard to the concept of truth, Socrates would hate Machiavelli’s model prince due to Machiavelli’s manipulative view of truth. While Socrates desired a state that focuses on fundamental truth and ethical decisions, MachiavelliRead MoreMachiavelli And Socrates1713 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates and Niccolà ² Machiavelli were both political philosophers who lived through corruption, violence, and political restlessness. These circumstances prompted them to develop their own solutions for their respective societies. This included the creation of a stable political system with a strong and effective leader through the examination of the faults of said societies. To Machiavelli, this leader is known as the â€Å"Prince.† He believes that the Prince should be pragmatic in his actions, andRead MoreA Comparison Of The Apology And Niccolo Machiavelli And The Prince1513 Words   |  7 PagesPlato’s The Apology and Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince provide two opposing views of the ideal ruler and government. The seminal works attempt to uncover the true definition of justice which becomes the basis from which they craft their vision of effective civil leadership. The two men, both influenced by the times of similar conflict and chaos in which they worked, espouse divergent beliefs regarding proper and effective authority. This difference is rooted in a fundamental incongruity betweenRead MoreEssay about Niccolo Machiavelli1653 Words   |  7 Pages According to legend, just before his death, Niccolo Machiavelli told his friends that had remained faithful to him up until the very end about a dream he had had. In his dream, he had seen a group of peasants, wretched and decrepit in appearance. He asked them who they were. They replied, ‘We are the saintly and the blessed; we are on our way to heaven.’ Then he saw a crowd of formally attired men, aristocratic and grim in appearance, speaking solemnly of important political matters. Again, he