What was the most outrageous statement/idea that Machiavelli wrote?
I think one of the most (if not the most) outrageous ideas that Machiavelli wrote in The Prince is on page 46. Here is were he talks about his idea that it is better to be feared than loved.
Was he right? Why or why not?
I think in some cases he could definitely be right. I see where he is coming from when he talks about how you are more easily obeyed when you are over people who fear you. He talks about how those who are loved are more likely to be disobeyed because "men, because they are rotten, will break any time they think doing so serves their advantage; but fear involves dread of punishment, from which they can never escape." He also talks about how it would be nice to be loved and feared but as a leader it is more important to be feared. If you are loved there are many people who also hate you. If you are feared, you are more likely to be neither loved or hated.
Taking that same statement, would Machiavelli's philosophy apply today? Why or why not?
I think Machiavelli's philosophy applies today because many leaders who are loved are also taken advantage of or they are hated by a lot of people too. If as a leader you are feared, you are more likely to be followed and respected. As long as you are not hated but only feared, you can work well as a leader. I think this is what Machiavelli means by it being better to be feared than loved.
Yeah, I can see that. I have sometimes speculates over the benefits of having people fear me, and therefore respect me. But in the long run, fear can often turn to hate anyway, and if you're loved, at least you have some allies. So in the long run, I'd rather take love.
ReplyDeleteHey, we talked about the same quote! Nice. I like your perspective, and good points about rule by fear working with respect. Hadn't thought of that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that fear comes at a bigger price than love. I believe that those that are loved and those that are overly nice, are taken advantage of. I believe it is the strong and the feared that arise in Society. While it is a crazy concept, those that instill fear and are more forceful seem to succeed.
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