Humanities & Classics 1002
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Renaissance Forum
Humanities & Classics 1002 |
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In Machiavelli's (The Prince), He claims that it is more advantagous for a leader to be feared than loved. He writes:
"The answer is that one would like to be both the one and the other; but becuase it is difficult to combine them, it is far better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both." (Prince 52)
His reasoning is that love is chooseable to the masses were as fear is not.
He writes:
"The bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures that they are, break when it is to their advantage to do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective" (Prince 53)
This seems to paint love as a rational choice. In other words, if it where in a man's best interst to not be in love, they could choose to disgard love. Machiavcelli seems to like fear, due to the fact that eliminatres choice to the masses. This way the prince is better able to keep power. I disagree with his veiw of love.
Love is irrational! Often people do not love for a good reason. In fact, they often love those who it is not in their best interest to love. Look at people who are in abusive relationships! These people clearly love those who treat them poorly mentally or physically. They have NO choice in the matter.
You do not find the pro's and con's of loving a person, and then make a rational choice. You just love them or don't love them, regardless of any reason. Since love is just as compulsive as fear, it should be valued just as highly.