Differences between Aristotle and Machiavelli

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.