Philosophy The Prince

Monday, September 29

To whom is the dedicatory letter addressed?

Lorenzo de Medici, a powerful Renaissance political leader in the late 1400s.

In Machiavelli’s usage, what does the title “Prince” mean?

It means any political ruler, not just someone from a royal family.

What was the custom when seeking favor from a powerful person?

To offer them something pleasing, such as horses, jewels, or luxury gifts.

What was the alternative way to seek favor, besides luxury gifts?

To offer what you value most, showing seriousness and sincerity.

What does Machiavelli offer Lorenzo instead of material gifts?

He offers his most valued possession — his knowledge.

What kind of knowledge does Machiavelli offer?

Political knowledge, not math, science, or theology.

What is the focus of Machiavelli’s political knowledge?

The actions of great men, meaning political excellence and statesmanship.

What is Machiavelli’s goal in offering this knowledge?

To provide Lorenzo with useful political guidance.

What are the two main sources of Machiavelli’s knowledge?

1. Experience with modern affairs: from his work in diplomatic service and observing rulers directly.

2. Continuous reading of the ancients: studying classical and biblical texts about great leaders.

How did Machiavelli gain theoretical lessons in politics?

By reading classical and biblical texts about great rulers.

Which biblical figure does Machiavelli later discuss as the greatest political ruler?

Moses, in Chapter of The Prince. 

How does Machiavelli read the Bible in his political thought?

As a political text, not primarily as a religion one. 

What is the purpose of Machiavelli’s landscape sketch artist analogy?

To show that rulers and ruled each have partial perspectives: true political knowledge requires both perspectives — knowledge of the whole.

What unique contribution does Machiavelli claim for himself in the dedicatory letter?

That he alone both perspectives (ruler and ruled) to give comprehensive political knowledge.

What are the two fundamental kind of states?

1. Republics (self-rule, liberty)

2. Prinicipalities (ruled by one prince, submission)

What are the two types of principalities?

1. Hereditary (old, ancestral)

2. New

What are the two subtypes of “new” principalities?

A. Mixed principalities (formed by conquest, through acquisition)

B. Altogether new principalities (founded by a founder, requiring political creation).

What are the key contrasts Machiavelli makes between republics and principalities?

Republic = liberty; Principality = submission. Principalities looks like conquest through acquisition or being founded by founders.

Why are the political societies not “natural”?

Because they must be founded; they don’t arise naturally like biological or chemical processes. 

What rule do founders play in political life?

Founders are crucial; they create enduring political orders and mark the beginning of all “altogether new” societies. 

How does Machiavelli define hereditary principalities?

As ancestral/old political orders. 

Why are hereditary principalities stable?

Because people are used to them, rely on continuity, and trust the “same old, same old”.

What do hereditary principalities depend on?

On tradition and historical memory, not innovation.

What does “hereditary” mean in Machiavelli’s usage?

Ancient, ancestral, old. 

What does “new” mean?

Either mixed (conquest) or altogether new (founding). 

What is the contrast between tradition and innovation?

Tradition = continuity, stability. Innovation = creation of new orders. 

What is the difference between conquest through fortune vs. through virtue?

Fortune = dependence on luck or others. Virtue = independent, strong leadership.

Who does Machiavelli present as the model founder?

Moses.

What does submission vs. liberty mean in Machiavelli’s categories?

Principality = submission. Republic = liberty. 

Why does Machiavelli mostly use ordinary language instead of technical or elitist terms?

So it can be used for all readers, not just elitist royalty. 

What does Machiavelli state is his intent in Ch.15?

To write something useful to whoever understands it.

What rare word does he use in Ch.2 (pg.6) and what does it mean?

The word was “temporize” which means to delay or procrastinate. 

In Machiavelli’s usage, what does “offend” mean?

To harm.

What gives hereditary states stability?

Tradition and continuity, affirming past history.

Why do people in hereditary prince avoid being “extraordinary”?

Being extraordinary or an extreme in general disrupts stability.

What does Machiavelli mean when he says princes should be of “ordinary industry”?

They should avoid being the extremes of instead be competent and balanced. 

How do hereditary princes respond to accidents like plagues or invasions?

They need to delay and wait for order to reassert itself. 

Why do hereditary principalities suppress the memory of their founding?

If their founding is remembered then innovation can be remembered which undermines tradition. 

What is the central theme of Chapters 3-5?

Conquest and instability.

Why are mixed principalities unstable compared to hereditary ones?

Mixed principalities involve innovation which creates instability.

Instead of starting with the conqueror, who does Machiavelli focus on in Chapter 3?

The conquered people. 

Why do people willingly change their rulers?

If they believe that their lives will be improved.

What is the difference between being prudentially motivated and being prudent?

Being prudentially motivated means you’re self-interested while being prudent means being wise. 

Why is conquest impossible without internal dissatisfaction among the conquered people?

Because if the people are content with their prince the conquest would fail. 

What is the “grass is greener” effect Machiavelli describes?

People thinks that new rulers will often be better but the reality can be disappointing. 

In the analogy used to explain conquest to a child, what does Johnny and his toy represent?

The conquered people and their possessions. 

What makes a doctor’s knowledge specific?

A doctor must know how to treat a patient, take a medical history, recognize symptoms, and identify underlying causes.

What two components make up true medical knowledge?

Diagnostic knowledge (identifying the disease) and therapeutic knowledge (prescribing effective remedies).

What two things do patients expect from a doctor?

A clear diagnosis (what’s wrong) and a treatment (what to do about it).

What is a symptom in the medical model?

A sign pointing to something deeper (an underlying cause).

What is the difference between diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge?

• Diagnostic = knowing which cause produces which symptom.

• Therapeutic = knowing how to cure or treat the cause.

Why is early diagnosis important according to the medical model?

Because wise doctors detect disease before symptoms are obvious, when it’s still curable. Once disease is advanced, even mediocre doctors can recognize it, but it’s often too late to cure.

How does Machiavelli apply the medical model to politics?

A wise prince, like a wise physician, must diagnose political problems early, identify underlying causes of unrest, and apply remedies before the crisis becomes incurable.

What does “political prudence” mean in this analogy?

Political prudence = diagnostic + therapeutic political knowledge: diagnosing troubles in the state and prescribing remedies to prevent or cure crises.

Which historical example does Machiavelli use as a positive model of political prudence?

The Romans, who anticipated problems early and acted decisively before they grew incurable.

Who does Machiavelli cite as a negative example?

Louis of France, who failed to recognize early warning signs and waited too long, allowing crises to become unavoidable.

What medical terms does Machiavelli deliberately use in political discussion?

Remedy, medicine, disease, cure.

What is the key lesson of the medical analogy for political leaders?

Wise rulers, like good doctors, recognize problems early and apply remedies before the state’s “disease” becomes incurable.

What three steps must doctors take before treating a patient?

1. Take medical history (patient background, past illnesses).

2. Gather information (vitals, tests).

3. Recognize symptoms (observable signs of illness).

What is the relationship between symptoms and causes?

Symptoms are signs that point to underlying causes; causation means effects (symptoms) come from deeper causes.

Give an example of how a symptom points to a cause.

Fever → elevated white blood cells → infection.

What is the medical-political analogy for early vs. late detection?

• Early detection: Subtle but manageable (easy to cure in medicine; easy to fix in politics).

• Late detection: Obvious but incurable (too late in both medicine and politics).

Who was Cesare Borgia?

Son of Pope Alexander VI, used as a political instrument to expand papal power.

How did Borgia differ from the typical “child rebellion” story?

Instead of resisting his father’s influence, Borgia embraced power and became highly skilled at ruling.

Why does Machiavelli praise Cesare Borgia?

• He’s a model for princes who gain power through fortune or others’ arms.

• He understood how power works: avoid dependence on foreign powers, eliminate corrupt elites, build his own army, and use force effectively.

How does Agathocles compare to Cesare Borgia?

• Borgia: Gained power through fortune and family ties.

• Agathocles: Gained power through skill, courage, and ruthlessness.

How do people and elites differ in their political desires?

• People: Prefer not to be ruled; want private freedom.

• Elites (grandi): Desire to rule and dominate others.

What is the political purpose of populism?

To protect the common people from the power and corruption of elites.

How does Machiavelli’s view of politics differ from traditional thinkers?

Traditional thinkers were idealistic (focused on perfect societies); Machiavelli was realistic, focused on how power and people actually behave.

What must a successful prince learn according to Machiavelli?

“How not to be good” — meaning to use vice or deceit when necessary to protect and maintain the state.

What is the key difference between ideal and real politics?

• Ideal politics: Guided by morality and utopian visions.

• Real politics: Guided by necessity, conflict, and the pursuit of power.

What was Cesare Borgia’s main political mistake?

He failed to anticipate that Julius II would destroy him after his father’s death, treating Julius with moral virtue (trust) instead of political virtue (eliminating a threat).

What is the key lesson from Borgia’s failure?

Princes must separate moral virtue from political virtue—morality can ruin a ruler who faces ruthless rivals.

What is the difference between moral virtue and political virtue?

• Moral virtue: Qualities like forgiveness, honesty, and fairness (fit for private life).

• Political virtue: Effectiveness, strength, and the use of deception or cruelty when necessary (fit for ruling).

What does Machiavelli warn against when it comes to virtue?

He warns not to confuse morality with politics—good morals do not guarantee good political outcomes.

Who was Agathocles, and how did he rise to power?

He was the son of a potter who rose through military ranks, conspired against the elites of Syracuse, and seized power through a massacre.

How did Agathocles maintain his power?

By destroying elite opposition and gaining support from the common people, who benefited from his rule.

Why does Machiavelli consider Agathocles politically “virtuous”?

Because he achieved and secured power effectively, even if his methods were immoral—his cruelty served political stability.

What is a “civil principality” according to Machiavelli?

A form of rule where a prince gains power through the election of the people, not by birth or conquest.

What causes class conflict in Machiavelli’s view?

• The people want to live freely without being ruled.

• The elites want to rule and dominate.
  This tension naturally produces political conflict.

What is the role of a “populist prince”?

To protect the people from the ambitions of the elites and weaken elite dominance to maintain stability.

How does Machiavelli’s idea of class conflict differ from Karl Marx’s?

• Machiavelli: Class conflict is permanent.

• Marx: Class conflict will eventually end in communism.

What shift happens in Chapters 15–16 of The Prince?

Machiavelli moves from discussing examples (like Borgia and Agathocles) to explaining general principles of political behavior.

What is the main idea of Chapter 15?

A prince must focus on the realities of power (“effectual truth”) rather than ideals—he must “learn how not to be good” when necessary.

What two dangers must a prince always avoid (Chapter 16)?

• Hatred from the people — which leads to rebellion.

• Contempt from other rulers — which invites invasion.

Why is excessive generosity a danger for rulers?

Too much generosity forces taxation, drains resources, and causes hatred among subjects. It’s better to appear generous but act cautiously.

What causes a prince to be held in contempt?

Contempt arises when a ruler seems dependent on others, runs out of money, borrows excessively, or taxes people too heavily.

Is it better for a prince to be loved or feared?

It is better to be feared than loved, since love depends on others while fear can be controlled by the prince — as long as he avoids being hated.

How does fear work differently in domestic and international politics?

• Domestically: Fear discourages rebellion and crime.

• Internationally: Fear deters enemies and prevents invasion.

What is the lesson of Chiron, the centaur?

Machiavelli uses Chiron to teach that a ruler must be half man and half beast — human when possible, beastly when necessary.

What do the lion and fox symbolize in Machiavelli’s analogy?

• Lion → Strength, power, and military force.

• Fox → Intelligence, cunning, and deceit.

Which historical leaders embody the fox and lion traits?

• Alexander VI: Ruled successfully through deception and broken promises.

• Severus: Combined strength (lion) and cunning (fox), making him a model of political skill.

What is “prudence” in Machiavelli’s political thought?

Prudence is the ability to recognize that all options have risks and to choose the lesser evil — the most beneficial or least harmful choice in politics.

What is the “never-failing rule” of leadership?

There are three types of people:

1. Those who learn on their own.

2. Those who learn with guidance.

3. Those who can’t learn at all.
   A prince who cannot learn — and who has no wise advisors — cannot govern successfully.