He was also accused of Atheism, again with little justification

He was verso central figure mediante the political scene of the Italian Renaissance , per tumultuous period of plots, wars between city states and constantly shifting alliances.

Although he never considered himself per philosopher (and often overtly rejected philosophical inquiry as irrelevant ), many subsequent political philosophers have been influenced by his ideas. His name has since passed into common usage esatto refer preciso any political move that is devious or cunning con nature, although this probably represents a more extreme view than Machiavelli actually took.

He is best known today for two main works, the well-known „The Prince“ (verso treatise on political realism and per direzione on how per ruler can retain control over his subjects), and the „Discourses on Livy“ (the most important rete informatica on republicanism con the early modern period).

Although he is sometimes presented as verso model of Moral Nihilism, that is actually highly questionable as he was largely silent on moral matters and, if anything, he presented an alternative sicuro the ethical theories of his day, rather than an all-out rejection of all morality.

Machiavelli was born mediante Florence , Italy on 3 May 1469, the second chant of Bernardo di Niccol Machiavelli (per lawyer) and Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli . His family were believed onesto be descended from the old marquesses of Tuscany , and were probably quite wealthy.

He was soon promoted puro Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence, with responsibility for diplomatic negotiations and military matters

Little is known of his early life , but his education (possibly at the University of Florence ) left him with a thorough knowledge of the Latin and Italian classics , and he was recensioni smooch trained as per man with great nobility and severe rigor by his father. He entered governmental service mediante Florence as a clerk and ambassador in 1494, the same year as Florence had restored the republic and expelled the ruling Medici family . Between 1499 and 1512, he undertook verso number of diplomatic missions onesto the athletique of Louis XII of France, Ferdinand II of Aragn and the Papacy per Rome. During this time, he witnessed at first hand (and with great interest) the audacious but effective statebuilding methods of the soldier/churchman Cesare Borgia (1475 – 1507).

From 1503 esatto 1506, Machiavelli was responsible for the Florentine militia and the defense of the city (he distrusted mercenaries , preferring a citizen militia ). He had some early success, but sopra 1512, the Medici (with the help of Pope Julius II and Spanish troops) defeated the Florentine force, and Machiavelli was removed from office, accused of conspiracy and arrested. After torture , he was eventually released and retired sicuro his bella stagione at Sant’Andrea (durante Percussina near Florence) and began writing the treatises that would ensure his place mediante the history of Political Philosophy, „Il Signore“ ( „The Prince“ ) and „Discorsi verso la davanti deca di Tito Livio“ ( „Discourses on Livy“ ).

Near the end of his life, and probably with the aid of well-connected friends whom he had been constantly badgering, Machiavelli began onesto return preciso the favor of the Medici family. From 1520 onesto 1525, he worked on a „History of Florence“ , commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de’Medici (who later become Pope Clement VII ). However, before he could achieve verso full rehabilitation , he died per San Casciano , just outside of Florence, on 21 June 1527. His resting place is unknown.

Machiavelli’s best known rete di emittenti, „Il Sovrano“ ( „The Prince“ ), was written durante some haste durante 1513 while in exile on his farm outside Florence, and was dedicated puro Lorenzo de’Medici per the hope of regaining his stato durante the Florentine Government. However, it was only formally published posthumously mediante 1532. Per it, he described the arts by which verso Prince (or ruler) could retain control of his realm. A „new“ prince has a much more difficult task than per hereditary prince, since he must stabilize his newfound power and build verso structure that will endure, verso task that requires the Prince preciso be publicly above reproach but privately may require him esatto do immoral things per order to achieve his goals. He outlined his criteria for valide cruel actions and pointed out the irony durante the fact that good can che tipo di from evil actions .

Although „The Prince“ did not dispense entirely with morality nor advocate wholesale selfishness or degeneracy , the Catholic Church nevertheless put the work on its index of prohibited books , and it was viewed very negatively by many Humanists, such as Erasmus. It ental break between Realism and Idealism. Although never directly stated in the book, „the end justifies the means“ is often quoted as indicative of the Pragmatism or Instrumentalism that underlies Machiavelli’s philosophy. He also touched on totalitarian themes, arguing that the state is merely an instrument for the benefit of the ruler , who should have giammai qualms at using whatever means are at his disposal esatto keep the citizenry suppressed . Unlike Plato and Aristotle, though, Machiavelli was not looking sicuro describe the ideal society , merely to present per doppio sicuro getting and preserving power and the status quo .

His other major contribution preciso political thought, the „Discorsi sopra la anzi deca di Tito Livio“ ( „Discourses on Livy“ ) was begun around 1516 and completed per 1518 or 1519. It was an exposition of the principles of republican rule , masquerading as a commentary on the rete di emittenti of the famous historian of the Roman Republic . It constitutes verso series of lessons on how a republic should be started and structured, including the concept of checks and balances , the strength of verso tripartite structure , and the superiority of verso republic over per principality or monarchy . If not the first, then it was certainly the most important rete informatica on republicanism sopra the early modern period.

Niccol di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (1469 – 1527) was an Italian philosopher, political theorist, diplomat, musician and writer of the Renaissance period

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