Machiavelli’s The Prince (The Nietzsche Podcast, episode 58)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Today, we discuss one of the most important works of political philosophy of all time, Machiavelli's Il Principe - The Prince. This book was composed while Machiavelli was in exile, after having served the city of Florence for thirteen years as a diplomatic official, but by the time of its authorship reduced to the role of an obscure private citizen. In this work, as Nietzsche characterizes it, Machiavelli takes us along at a brisk allegrissimo through matters of the most grave seriousness, maintaining sobriety and good humor the whole way through. His intended audience is a leader who could found an Italian nation-state. Accordingly, he makes a distinction between republics, hereditary monarchies, and the kind of monarchy that such a unifier of Italy would inevitably have to create: the new monarchy. He writes without concern for the questions of legitimacy, natural rights, or the progress towards a political ideal. Machiavelli instead concerns himself with the practical challenges of establishing a new state. He looks not to the future, but wishes to emulate the example that lies in the distant past, in the form of Rome. His hero, Cesare Borgia - a tragic figure who played the game of thrones rather well, but still lost - was similarly held by Nietzsche as an example of a great individual. In our examination of why Machiavelli admired Borgia, we find an important key to Nietzsche's understanding of Europe's moral-psychological past, and the revaluation of values that took place during the Italian Renaissance, only to be thwarted by the arising of Luther and the Protestant Reformation.
#philosophy #history #historyofphilosophy #renaissance #italianrenaissance #nietzsche #politicalphilosophy #politics #philosophypodcast #philosophers #italianphilosophy
This podcast is what mdoern university education wishes it could be. Bravo
Really crazy because "the prince" just arrived in the mail today! I've been reading Thus Spoke Zarathustra and listening to podcasts and vids about Nietzche, and now you are covering Machiavelli :) Not sure if I should listen because I don't wanna spoil the book.
I find when reading non fiction to listen to a thorough summary or synopsis first which allows me to really digest when I read… just me
It won't spoil the book The more information you get on it the more Rich the reading will be.
It's a political/philosophical non-fiction work. Unlike fiction, you cannot have spolilers for a work of this nature!
Just discovered the channel. Fantastic content and insightful analysis, presented in an easy to understand manner.
00:01 📜 Nietzsche discusses the challenge of translating the tempo and style of different languages, highlighting the unique tempo of Machiavelli's writing in "The Prince."
01:53 🤝 Nietzsche is influenced by Machiavelli's objective exploration of political power in "The Prince," emphasizing their shared perspective on expediency and virtue.
05:04 📚 Machiavelli was born during the Renaissance, a period focused on reviving classical antiquity's spirit, and he aspired to create a unified Italian state.
08:48 🏛 Machiavelli held political office and conducted diplomatic missions but was eventually exiled when the Medici family returned to power in Florence.
09:32 📖 Machiavelli composed "The Prince" during his exile, drawing inspiration from conversations with ancient philosophers and thinkers.
16:06 🇮🇹 Machiavelli's primary goal in "The Prince" was to establish an enduring Italian nation-state, emphasizing pragmatism over ideological preferences.
20:47 🧬 Machiavelli's political science focuses on the core of power and the creation of a state capable of maintaining itself beyond the ruler's lifespan, making him an early innovator in the field.
22:11 📜 Machiavelli's last chapter in "The Prince" passionately aims to convince a potential future leader of an Italian Empire of the advantages of uniting Italy and liberating it from foreign rule.
23:05 🇮🇹 Machiavelli's goal in "The Prince" is not just to provide a general guide for rulers but specifically to guide someone in creating a new state or unifying Italian states.
25:23 🤝 In "The Prince," Machiavelli advises that hereditary monarchies are easier to maintain than new monarchies, which require more effort due to the absence of traditional bonds.
31:00 🤷 Machiavelli's analysis focuses on the acquisition and preservation of power, without moral judgments or concerns about legitimacy, unlike other political philosophers of his time.
35:39 🏡 To maintain a newly conquered territory, a monarch should live there, settle it with colonists, and manipulate regional powers to prevent rebellion and secure loyalty.
38:10 🌐 Machiavelli uses historical examples, like King Louis and Alexander the Great, to illustrate the importance of strategic alliances and considering long-term consequences in statecraft.
42:50 🤴 Machiavelli classifies rulership into two types: monarchies ruled by a king and his ministers, and monarchies ruled by a king and his barons (feudal lords).
44:12 🌍 It's easier to conquer France with its aristocratic power base than the centralized Turkish monarchy, but holding France is more challenging due to factions and regional powers.
47:01 🌐 Alexander the Great successfully held the Persian kingdom due to its similarity to the Turkish monarchy and unifying it after conquering.
49:20 📜 Machiavelli's approach to political thinking is scientific, focusing on causes and conditions, rather than seeing history as divine unfolding.
50:32 🏰 States forged through adversity tend to be more durable, as their rulers develop necessary skills and strategies.
52:10 ⚖ Initiating a new order is challenging; injustices should be committed all at once to avoid ongoing grievances, while benefits should be granted gradually.
56:08 🔪 Committing cruelties at once and benefits gradually helps maintain power and avoid a constant need for force.
58:02 🕊 Maintaining an image of mercy, justice, and liberality over time is essential for a ruler's long-term stability.
01:03:30 🛡 A state's self-sufficiency, including its ability to raise armies without relying on others, is a key factor in evaluating its effectiveness.
01:03:44 🏰 Machiavelli advises against relying too much on allies, as essential dependencies can jeopardize self-sufficiency.
01:05:08 ⚔ Machiavelli discourages hiring mercenaries, as they tend to be disloyal and may turn to brigandry during peacetime.
01:06:29 🤝 Machiavelli outlines three options for a prince: relying on their own troops, mercenaries, or auxiliaries (foreign troops).
01:07:20 🛡 Auxiliaries can be more dangerous than mercenaries due to their unity under a foreign banner.
01:10:56 ⚔ Machiavelli emphasizes that a prince should focus on war, organization, and discipline as essential skills.
01:11:55 😇 A prince should aim to be considered merciful but not shy away from necessary cruelty when maintaining order.
01:13:45 👑 Machiavelli suggests that a wise prince should rely on what is in their power, be it fear or love, to avoid hatred.
01:20:27 👑 Cesare Borgia serves as an example of a capable leader who, despite his successes, failed due to reliance on external factors and alliances.
01:23:12 🌟 Cesare Borgia's life exemplifies a tragic hero, a great individual with extraordinary abilities, but ultimately undone by flaws and circumstances.
01:24:20 📚 Machiavelli's The Prince emphasizes that political power relies on martial abilities, loyal troops, and winning the love of the people.
01:25:03 🏛 Cesare Borgia, as viewed by Machiavelli, could have founded a new Italian nation-state, and his amoral qualities aligned with Machiavelli's opposition to Christian values.
01:26:44 📖 Nietzsche saw the Protestant Reformation, led by Luther, as detrimental to the Renaissance's revaluation of Christian values, a missed opportunity for Europe.
01:30:31 🇩🇪 Nietzsche criticizes Luther's rebellion against the Renaissance, favoring the vibrant values that could have taken over Christianity's seat.
01:36:44 🌟 Nietzsche sees Cesare Borgia as an approximation of the Overman, a real-world example of a figure embodying Nietzsche's ideals.
Youre the man
Man i love your discussions keep up the good work
Really enjoy your podcast!
It's nice to have gone through the book and hearing you explain points I already knew but it's refreshing to have what I didn't get and finally putting those pieces together.
May I recommend Democracy in America by Tocqueville?
Machievelli is considered teaching and praising evil. I rather think his "The ruler needs to be both the fox and the lion to avoid being eaten by wolves" is a terse description underlining practical politics.
Awesome podcast!! Greetings from Vienna!!
amazing depth and nuance. thank you
Good Day!
I would be most grateful if you would share your educational background. Do you have a Masters/PhD? Where did you go to university or are you Self-Taught? You are most remarkable!
Kind regards, Abel😊
I wonder why this matters to you? I used to be a tenured professor at an American university. Many of my colleagues were not very bright. Most were conformists. Nearly all were poor teachers. I consider Keegan Kjeldsen to be one of the best lecturers I have ever heard, and I have degrees from three universities, one of them Cambridge.
@@garrycraigpowell Just innocently curious my friend! If he is self taught it would give me inspiration that I too could reach the same level as him with enough grit and gumption. Okay? Thanks and Peace! ✌🏼
@@abelreturnstoeden2130 Of course, and I apologise if my tone seemed critical. In fact Keegan is open about his background. He studied philosophy at college but dropped out, so he's largely self-taught. You can definitely do it. Best wishes.
@@garrycraigpowell Thank you so much for your reply! 😉 I appreciate you! Stay awesome as you are! Peace and Luv!!! Abel! 😁
Name of the outro music please....somebody?
It’s a free Apple loop.
Wild
If a myth is obvious, it is useless, if it is too far, it is not found; therefore, a history story.
After all the lamentations, religion is still alive and well even today, just ask the heard-mentality people. Thanks for the story.
I found you through Uberboyo. Sure glad I did.
I love your channel. Your voice is real nice to listen to. I followed you on Twitter but I don't even know if that's you.
I don't think things are what they seem.
Whenever I speak the truth I am censored with a bleep.
And if we are all just living in a dream...
Then the only time we're awake is when we're asleep.
Job line-ups of refuges is a commercial commodity.
Have you seen all the souls for sale at the market?
Yet your freedom is considered but a phenomenal oddity...
To those who would sweep your bones under a carpet.
"I just want to be 'ME' he yelps."
So to yourself you want be true?
And in the process of trying to be yourself,
Whom do you find you compare yourself to?
Is Materialism the Solution?
Won't someone hire us at the Ave of History?
With symptoms of pollution, an economic virus...
The Bureaucratic Plague of Industry.
I enjoy his comments on livy a lot
The🧠intellect is🥸foolish🤡compared 2👣 the🗣️ Wisdom👁️of👂the❤️🔥Soul😂!
Is this Black Pidgeon Speaks?
No, and I don't know why people ask this. I don't sound like this person at all.
I thought you sounded like him. Also you guys are both intellectuals, thought this might be side project, hope I didn't offend you. @@untimelyreflections
No, you didn't offend me, it's just the third time I've heard this, and whenever i go and listen to him I'm always like "this doesn't sound like me" @@jimhendericks
Great work!
Btw the Italian pronunciation of Principe is [ˈprintʃipe].