I always found the concepts of Machiavellianism interesting. Of course I’ve always considered Niccolo Machiavelli a philosopher as well as a political and military strategist, but according to this article, portraying Niccolo Machiavelli as a philosopher is controversial. https://doi.org/10.1080/10457097.2017.1385358
According to Strauss, it would be “imprudent to assume that his knowledge of the things in the world is limited to things political and military in the narrow sense.” I already feel like Strauss and I are on the same page. Niccolo was part of a very wealthy Italian family, and he took on diplomatic roles after the expulsion of the Medici family.
Niccolo wasn’t just knowledgeable in strategy, he was very well educated in all manners of academics given his privileged birth. However, this isn't what makes him a Socratic philosopher. Niccolo, being a member of privileged society, was able to personally witness what made politicians fail, or succeed. This is the main reason why I think he displays Socratic thinking, and thus can be labelled a proper philosopher, as well as a politician and military strategist. 
#8
ReplyDeleteFirst installment.