Differences between Aristotle and Machiavelli
Differences between Aristotle and Machiavelli Of the philosophers that we have studied: Plato, Aristotle and Machiavelli, it is evident that they all have differing opinions about certain concepts. In the following paragraphs I will be discussing the different views of Aristotle and Machiavelli concerning the issues of politics and human nature. For Aristotle, a political community is one in which there are arguments and dialogues over what is advantageous and harmful, and just and unjust. The mail goal for the community is happiness for each other. Aristotle is not an idealist like Plato was. He believes that nature disposes us to set rules livin
However, our greatest need is to realize our innate capacity for living to a reasonable, organized plan. It is our nature that inclines us to try and defeat others and only those things that further our power and increase our ambition are in our best interest. Machiavelli also believes that human beings are divided by reason and desire. The idea of the common good is irrelevant to Machiavelli. There is a need to control desires. It is natural to him that our reason obeys our desires. He thinks that human beings are selfish, antagonistic towards others and inclined to evil. Aristotle believes that there is a tension between the need to conserve the status quo and recognition that human nature changes. He believes that people only go into politics for power and who ever the ruler may be; he should be forceful and manipulative. For him, the faculty of reason can and should be the main guide in establishing, governing and changing human society. We are not rational animals as Aristotle says, but animals that are rational. In terms of human nature, Machiavelli believes that we all came into this world naked, unprotected, insecure, and alone. Human beings have a need to live in a community, no matter where they are. For him, arguments or conflicts are what makes things run; but he sees in this the goal of construction.
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