Print this page Machiavelli: A Philosophical Introduction

Machiavelli’s influence on political theory cannot be overstated, and his ideas are still radical and challenging to this day. Like all great philosophers, Machiavelli institutes a new way of thinking about problems, which has had a much broader application than to politics itself. His approach has fed into the psychology of human behavior’. Byrne and Whiten call this ‘Machiavellian intelligence’: it acknowledges that much of human behavior is about ‘managing’ others to secure our position in the social hierarchy. In this course we will study Machiavelli’s philosophy of human nature; his ‘real politic’ of the state; his alarming ethics; and his thoughts on war, religion, and literature

Delivery Mode

Face to Face and Online

Learning Material

Material will be provided via Dropbox

Course Outline

1. Introduction to life and times: Machiavelli’s biography reads like an action packed drama. He is at the epicenter of Popes, Princes and Plots until his arrest, torture and exile, but then makes a comeback tour at the end. We will also look at the philosophical ideas surrounding him and the theories of the Cosmos in the middle Renaissance.
2. The Prince: I will introduce Machiavelli’s ideas on human nature; his theory of power; and the role of deception in the state.
3. Machiavelli’s Psychology. That all realistic politics must begin with a psychology of human desires and motivations is one of Machiavelli’s fundamental insights: Thomas Hobbes and all Modern political theory is based on it. We will discuss whether you think he has understood as we realistically are.
4. The Machiavellian Intelligence: Is it productive or destructive? We will consider the broader issues of Machiavelli’s way of thinking on social life.

Outcomes of the course

The student should:

1. Gain an in-depth knowledge of Machiavelli’s works The Prince ; the Discourses; The Art of War, as well as his poetry and plays.
2. Achieve an ability to recognize and discuss many of Machiavelli’s views in both philosophical history and contemporary literature.
3. Be ability to apply Machiavelli’s ideas to other social issue, such as personal relationships and the dynamics of the workplace.
4. Have developed a better understanding of politics in general.
5. Know how to research the topic further.