Machiavelli's Argument In The Prince
Plato and Machiavelli, both take into account in their writings the power of the people in society, however, both have different ways of dealing with this unchecked power. Plato wants to establish a society, based upon his concept of logos that there is some forms of eternal common good, that need to be followed, so he wants to set up a Philosopher King, instead of a democracy. Machiavelli points out that regardless of the system in place the individual in charge needs to pay attention to the opinions of the people, adapting his conduct based upon the changing of this opinion. Machiavelli does not believe in some eternal truth on how to govern, but rather different scenarios and different people in similar situations as others may require differents
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Plato’s system makes it mandatory for the rich to vote, while it is not for the poor, yet they believe everyone is properly represented, but instead he is actually using that doxa of popular opinion to hide his true intentions, which are for the assemblies to be primarily represented by the rich, who are most likely more educated. The differences between Plato and Machiavelli’s opinion on the people is formed out of their conceptions of time. Plato believes it to be cyclical, so there is an eternal world that contains everything that is logos, which is the truth to live a good life, but the people stop society from achieving it because of doxa. Machiavelli does not believe in any eternal truths, but looks at time as half in control and half not, so he views the relations with the people as the best mode to protect against the uncontrollable. Plato and Machiavelli differ because of these reasons, but in Plato’s later writing of the laws there is some
Plato’s system makes it mandatory for the rich to vote, while it is not for the poor, yet they believe everyone is properly represented, but instead he is actually using that doxa of popular opinion to hide his true intentions, which are for the assemblies to be primarily represented by the rich, who are most likely more educated. The differences between Plato and Machiavelli’s opinion on the people is formed out of their conceptions of time. Plato believes it to be cyclical, so there is an eternal world that contains everything that is logos, which is the truth to live a good life, but the people stop society from achieving it because of doxa. Machiavelli does not believe in any eternal truths, but looks at time as half in control and half not, so he views the relations with the people as the best mode to protect against the uncontrollable. Plato and Machiavelli differ because of these reasons, but in Plato’s later writing of the laws there is some