Machiavelli and Socrates

A detailed Summary of Machiavelli and Socrates

Everyone has their own philosophies to deal with life as it is thrown at them. Machiavelli and Socrates offer guidance to societies so they may succeed, as noble rulers. Machiavelli gives his go get them attitude to help maintain power, which I agree with, and Socrates lays out his ideas of enlightenment to rule. Michiavelli gives great advice for someone living in America in the year 2000, so that they my gain and maintain power. As a whole Americans need to embraces the ideas of Socrates to be wise and just leaders.

I support Machiavelli's way of dealing with the way people really behave, and

how the world is. It makes more sense, to deal with people and situations of the world in

their natural state. Attempting to change people that are set in their ways is much more

difficult, than just handling people in a way that they are accustom to. Humans feel safer

when they follow actions that have already been proven successful, outsiders should

work with them by what that group knows.

Machiavelli says, "since men almost always tread the paths made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, although they are not completely able to stay on the path of others

nor attain the skill of those they imitate, a prudent man should always enter those paths taken by great men and imitate those who have been most excellent, so that if one's own skill does not match theirs, at least it will have the smell of it" (Machiavelli, 20).

duces reproach along with hatred, because you want o be considered generous" (Machiavelli, 55). Having these two characteristics will get you ahead, but they cannot be obvious to the people. It is important that you look generous to the public, but make sure you are truly miserly in your actions. These are poor qualities, but also they are qualities that will keep you on top in the year 2000 society.

Socrates wants to believe that people of the world can examine themselves, and the world and even change it for the better, if they so desire. Everyone wants to believe that they know something, whether great or small in this world. No one wants to go through life feeling stupid or ignorant, so they tell themselves they retain some sort of intellect. Socrates wants to be honest at all times with himself and other in hopes of changing the world, and that is why he explains "Well, although I do not suppose that either of us know anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is, - for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows. I neither know nor think that I know" (Apology, 23). He thinks the politician is bad off because he thinks that he is knowledgeable, and is not. The politician should come to terms with his lack of understanding, to gain a higher sense of wisdom.

with people, you should also understand where they are coming from in their actions.

Americans mainly focus on being on top in everything they do, but they rarely worry about being just in their practices. Socrates' teachings are widely needed in America's society, because many of their actions are done in unjust manners. Socrates wants to change the way people think, to a more enlightened positive perspective. Many people would gain form Socrates' just ruling system, that he

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Approximate Word count = 1380
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History