Chapter Info (Click Here)
Book No. – 52 (Political Science)
Book Name – Political Philosophy (Richard G. Stevens)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
Note: The first chapter of every book is free.
Access this chapter with any subscription below:
- Half Yearly Plan (All Subject)
- Annual Plan (All Subject)
- Political Science (Single Subject)
- CUET PG + Political Science
LANGUAGE
Ancients and Moderns
Political Philosophy
Chapter – 10
- In Chapter 15 of “The Prince,” Machiavelli departs from the ancients who discussed “cities that never were,” aiming instead to teach “the effectual truth.”
- He contrasts with Aristotle’s view of virtue as a mean between extremes, presenting it as an alternation between what is praised and blamed, depending on circumstances.
- Machiavelli emphasizes the need to know when to act virtuous and when to act vicious, prioritizing pragmatism over traditional morality.
- Machiavelli’s new modes and orders revolutionized political thinking, influencing modern moral outlooks.
- St. Augustine criticized Romans who blamed Christianity for Rome’s weakness, a critique echoed by Machiavelli who challenges Christianity as effeminate and promotes a more manly version of virtue, similar to Roman paganism.
- Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy reflect this departure from Christianity, presenting pagan religion as necessary for political strength.
- His play “The Mandragola” further shows contempt for Roman history, particularly by mocking the rape of Lucretia, a sacred moment in Roman culture.
- Machiavelli’s ideas were influential, but Christianity and later thinkers like Rousseau and Kant altered the trajectory of morality and human nature.
- Sixty to seventy years ago, public schools in America taught the cardinal virtues (prudence, courage, moderation, justice), but modern education has shifted away from these in favor of Christian virtues (faith, hope, charity).
- On modern campuses, praise is given to good intentions, sensitivity, and nonjudgmental attitudes, while traditional manly virtues like justice, courage, and moderation are less emphasized.
- Modern sexual morality tolerates various forms of sexual activity as long as it is “protected,” using euphemism to reduce taboo and avoid questioning.
- The concept of commitment has become highly praised, often detached from traditional understandings of marriage, where vows like “I promise to love, honor, and cherish you” are seen as more authentic than traditional vows.
- Commitment is praised, yet Hitler’s commitment to his goals illustrates that intense commitment does not equate to moral righteousness.
- Modern college culture encourages students to “get involved” in causes but often lacks critical questioning of what being “involved” truly entails.
- Campus activism often emphasizes sentiment over informed thought, focusing on concern for issues like the environment or genocide, without considering the deeper questions of how to address these issues responsibly.