Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise
The political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli has often been reduced to the statement that ‘the end justifies the means’ and understood as an expression of <i>realpolitik</i> as a result of his pragmatic, even ruthless, counsel to would-be princes, or political leaders. However, a more...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Dustin Gish |
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| description | The political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli has often been reduced to the statement that ‘the end justifies the means’ and understood as an expression of <i>realpolitik</i> as a result of his pragmatic, even ruthless, counsel to would-be princes, or political leaders. However, a more nuanced understanding of Machiavelli’s reflections on human nature in his writings, especially <i>The Prince</i>, reveals that there is a philosophic core within his approach to political success, the acquisition and maintenance of state. But while there is no doubt that Machiavelli openly rejected the idealism of certain ancient and medieval thinkers, whose imagined republics only ever existed in theory, and instead candidly advised princes to seek and wield power, his work reflects not only a profound engagement with the harsh realities of a political landscape dominated by practical necessity but also a project of far-reaching scope. With the concept of “effectual truth” as his guide, Machiavelli proposes radical means to overcome <i>fortuna</i> with <i>virtù</i> and establish the foundations of power in order to bring about that conquest. The fulfillment of his mission and mandate to those who follow his lead represents the Machiavellian enterprise. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8d9341db227e4d7d8e44258f0f946e6f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2410-9789 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Literature |
| spelling | doaj-art-8d9341db227e4d7d8e44258f0f946e6f2025-08-20T01:49:00ZengMDPI AGLiterature2410-97892025-03-0151610.3390/literature5010006Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian EnterpriseDustin Gish0The Honors College, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USAThe political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli has often been reduced to the statement that ‘the end justifies the means’ and understood as an expression of <i>realpolitik</i> as a result of his pragmatic, even ruthless, counsel to would-be princes, or political leaders. However, a more nuanced understanding of Machiavelli’s reflections on human nature in his writings, especially <i>The Prince</i>, reveals that there is a philosophic core within his approach to political success, the acquisition and maintenance of state. But while there is no doubt that Machiavelli openly rejected the idealism of certain ancient and medieval thinkers, whose imagined republics only ever existed in theory, and instead candidly advised princes to seek and wield power, his work reflects not only a profound engagement with the harsh realities of a political landscape dominated by practical necessity but also a project of far-reaching scope. With the concept of “effectual truth” as his guide, Machiavelli proposes radical means to overcome <i>fortuna</i> with <i>virtù</i> and establish the foundations of power in order to bring about that conquest. The fulfillment of his mission and mandate to those who follow his lead represents the Machiavellian enterprise.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-9789/5/1/6<i>realpolitik</i>Machiavellipolitical philosophy<i>virtù</i><i>fortuna</i>Shakespeare |
| spellingShingle | Dustin Gish Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise Literature <i>realpolitik</i> Machiavelli political philosophy <i>virtù</i> <i>fortuna</i> Shakespeare |
| title | Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise |
| title_full | Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise |
| title_fullStr | Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise |
| title_short | Effectual Truth and the Machiavellian Enterprise |
| title_sort | effectual truth and the machiavellian enterprise |
| topic | <i>realpolitik</i> Machiavelli political philosophy <i>virtù</i> <i>fortuna</i> Shakespeare |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-9789/5/1/6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dustingish effectualtruthandthemachiavellianenterprise |