Machiavelli - THE PRINCE: Why It's BAD To Be GOOD

Machiavelli's The Prince is one of the most important works of political theory every written. But is it also a work of pure evil? Machiavelli has developed a reputation as a teacher of evil because what Machiavelli says in the prince is striking: he is an apologist for tyrants and advises treachery and betrayal when advantageous. However, a careful reading of Machiavelli's The Prince reveals that he might not be the whole picture. Machiavelli might also be sensitive the both the needs and the power of the people; and the people's interests might place a real check on the tyrannical appetites of the machiavellian prince.

This is a podcast and a philosophy lecture. It will provide you with a helpful introduction to Machiavelli's The Prince.

#Machiavelli #Prince #lecture

📗 CONNECT WITH ME! I use Instagram to keep in touch with students and friends.

📓 Find more on TIKTOK! ⏱ Short videos on philosophy, books, and life.

📗 STUDY WITH ME: Learn about the Great Books Program at St. Thomas University 🇨🇦

📗 CHECK OUT MY BOOKS:
Shakespeare between Machiavelli and Hobbes: Dead Body Politics

Magic in Early Modern England: Literature, Politics and Supernatural Power

[annaciechanowicz]

Just a "fun fact" - when all of Machiavelli's works were on catholic church's "Index of Prohibited Books" - desktop of cardinal Richelieu was coverd always with two books and one of them was "Prince"

[bigfrankfraser]

when i read Machiavelli i always think of the age old saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" and as my history teacher once said "sometimes you have to play the villain to be the hero"

[markofsaltburn]

The Prince is a warning for the virtuous to help keep good alive by keeping the devil inside them.

[Olliep]

Instead of reading the actual book I’m watching YouTube videos about it, and this is the most interesting of them all!! You are very fun to watch 🥰 thank you for making this ❤

[abdallahbrahimi]

Many thanks dear prof for this refreshing lecture, I did Humanities last year and I have to admit Machiavelli was the most unique lecture that i ever had, this will definitely lead us to think of our political leaders and how Machiavellian they are no matter their political ideology is !

[jalalryz]

Machiavelli isn’t just speaking about politics, he’s speaking about human nature. People forget we are animals with animal instincts.

[sukottoshinobe]

He covers personal freedom and liberty in the discourses on Livy. He was a supporter of republics. The prince was written as a guide to rulers and it serves as a guide to see through tyrants

[Kejsaren]

Really enjoyed this! Many commentators who review the Prince take a rather pessimistic view and condemn Machiavelli as a two dimensional villain. I really appreciate the balanced approach you take!

[TapasChakrabarty-jr]

You are such a good teacher. Love from India

[SimonBarikor]

One that is feared is very much closer to being hated as well. Care must be taken to avoid having the later.

[piotrciura]

Sounds like a description of one of the world’s super power country…

[michaelobrien]

The take-home message for me is, "Don't seek power beyond what your conscience can tolerate. But, be conscious of those who aren't dissuaded from such pursuits." I think Victor Frankl was more accurate. We all need to find meaning in life, but should the pursuit of power be that end? I don't think so.

[jackolanternyt]

Most people forget, when evaluating Machiavelli's work, that he was writing circa 1500, in a society very different from ours. I'm sure that his advice in "The Prince" reflected the political realities of the era he lived in.

[JPBGdeSouza]

Hey Prof! Thanks for the video! Can I recommend a lecture on Stephen Greenblatt's Pulitzer winner "The Swerve".

[jackryan]

bro, I forgot about your channel, and you suddenly popped up. bout to get my daily dose of some enlightenment, have a good day lol.

[mojahangard]

I really appreciate McCormack and Benner's reading of Machiavelli. Exposing the actions of the rulers as compared to the rhetoric (propaganda), and the consequences of these actions, and educating the populace to learn to read the behaviors and mannerism of the rulers (patricians) to safeguard the freedoms of a republic. I tend to agree with this reading Perhaps, Strauss was using Machiavelli as a mouthpiece to teach the philosophers in training to usurp the authority of the ancients - and by comparison Machiavelli may be considered an ancient by our standards - to bring about the modes and norms for the true rulers to rule.

[richardque]

He was not evil, he was a political realist.and brutally honest the other was otto von bismark, ( or henry kissinger).

[penandsword]

Machiavelli wrote two books (actually more than two) BUT, the issue is sincerity . His earlier work "The Prince " is a short comedy, a political parody, aimed at the Medici family and their takeover of his beloved city-state of Florence . His serious book was "Discourses On Livy", a 500 page study and exposition on constitutional government.

[NickDorogavtsev]

Awesome! I really need to re-read The Prince 🤴

[jayantkweera]

Which is the Best translation for the Book : The Prince (Niccolo Machiavelli)