The Prince political treatise is known for being rather controversial and making people have conflicting ideas, which affected the reputation of the text’s creator Niccolò Machiavelli. Some interpret the book as immoral and encouraging cruel rule in which Machiavelli promotes unethical governance. However, others consider this writing to be a scientific approach to the art of state management, containing truthful ideas about the nature of power and humankind. Due to the relative ambiguity of The Prince‘s ideas, it is essential to discuss the specific examples in the treatise to prove that Machiavelli does not want the government to be immoral. Instead, he believes that some ethical principles may be broken for the sake of the whole state.
Even with the ambiguity in the interpretation of Machiavelli’s ideas, the influence of The Prince is irrefutable. Born in the Italian city of Florence, Machiavelli devoted his life to political activities (Jackson & Grace, 2018). The philosopher’s life was rather turbulent due to several political upheavals and the country’s fragmentation. Since he was a patriot and hoped for the country’s unification and strengthening, these were the concepts Machiavelli considered when writing the treatise. Personal experience and surrounding circumstances influenced his worldview, and their study deepens the understanding of The Prince.
As mentioned above, the ideas presented in the treatise can be perceived differently. Machiavelli (2009/1532) is confident that rulers should make decisions that contradict the morality adopted in society, but such decisions are justified because they benefit the state’s prosperity. The author insists that even cruel and violent measures can benefit the country. In his vision, the ruler should be endowed with such qualities as determination, wisdom, and at the same time, cunning. Machiavelli distinguishes cruelty to guard the country and senseless violence, considering the latter unnecessary. Thus, the book demonstrates the complexity of political leadership and the need to deviate from moral principles in some cases.
References
Jackson, M., & Grace, D. (2018). Who was Niccolò Machiavelli? In Machiavelliana (pp. 12-39). Brill. Web.
Machiavelli, N. (2009). The prince. (T. Parks, Trans.). Penguin Classic. (Original work published 1532).