Machiavelli

POLITICAL THEORY - Niccolò Machiavelli by The School of Life

Some questions:

1. The video above says: "We're often appalled by how sly and dishonest many politicians are, but we shouldn't be. In moods like this we need to remember and read the works of Niccolo Machiavelli." Do you agree?
2. Helen asked whether there are any notable examples of countries where politicians who have adopted a Machiavellian approach achieved success. Her question suggests that such examples may not be immediately obvious. If political strategies based on Machiavellian principles are indeed effective, why then are these approaches not more widely adopted?  See answer from Bing co-pilot here.
3. Why do politicians and leaders, in many countries, adopt a mostly ethical approach to their politics?

Machiavelli's 'The Prince': Summary & Analysis by Dr Aidan

Some questions

1. What types of power were discussed in the videos above?  How are these powers used?
2. For Machiavelli, the ends justify the means.  What limits how far such means can be applied?

The Philosophy of Politics and Power

 

1. Introduction: What is Political Philosophy? by YaleCourses

Political Philosophy

The above YouTube video provides an introduction to political philosophy.

Our discussion in class will be based mainly on chapter 4, The Philosophy of Politics and Power, of the book 'Philosophy for Busy People: Everything You Really Should Know' by Alain Stephen.  Please see the file via the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16Clo8yLxVRk6DRQKhv7Eq6wPQMkFWyYh/view?usp=sharing

Philosophy of Power

Chapter 2.5: Michel Foucault, Power by Leiden University - Faculty of Humanities

The above YouTube video gives an introduction to the Philosophy of Power.  

Chapter 4 from the above book discusses Foucault on Power and Knowledge.  I plan to discuss that in class as well.

Some Questions

Plato's Republic

1. Plato/Socrates outlines a three part hierarchical structure of the human soul, which they believe is immortal.  The soul, as believed by Plato/Socrates, is equivalent to what we now consider to be the mind.  Do you think that the tripartite soul is an accurate depiction of the human mind?
2. Should the choice of a political system be based on an assumed best way of managing the human mind, which is a biological system?  Is a society analogous to the human mind?

Foucault on Power and Knowledge

1. In the above video, Dr Victor Gijsbers from Leiden University said in order to understand Foucault, he makes a distinction between two types of powers.  What are they?  Are there other types of power?  If so, why does Dr Gijsbers focus on these two types?
2. Are there hierarchies of power in societies?  If so, how does that relate to Foucault's concept of power?
3. According to Foucault, how does knowledge relate to power?
4. Do you agree with Foucault that there are 'regimes of truth' and no absolute truth?