Niccolo Machiavelli Virtues And Virtue - 1122 Words

Kings, rulers come to an end due to non-prudent behavior or a deadly mistake. The truth will uncover to whether the prince was virtuous or faking virtue. When a mistake appears, and the true self reveals. A prince could achieve complete virtue only through a sinless life. Dante depicts a soul as being virtuous by living a pure life and avoiding eternal death in the afterlife. To reign profitably, it is necessitating for a prince to have virtue. Virtue in return, will benefit him in the current and afterlife. Virtue is the moral understanding of something beyond the physical sphere of life. Observing the situation in Florence during Niccolo Machiavelli’s time, it was in ruins due to corruption among citizens and poor leadership. To put†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"†¦because they knew that there is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others† (Machiavelli, 12). Machiavelli points out that the Romans were victorious because they never steer away from war, a cruel action. To survive as a prince, one had to be cunning and vicious. Machiavelli says that a virtuous prince is one that could keep and protect his state, while utilizing needed unethical methods. He indicates that if prowess cannot be accomplished it must be feigned by the ruler. However, there is a problem with the idea of faking virtue, because one lacking prowess is more susceptible to making a fatal decision. Another difficulty is that obligating acts of darkness would not make a prince a prudent ruler even if it is for the common good of the state. The problem lies within the question, what would become of the soul. The prince may be successful temporary on earth, but what awaits in eternity? He would not be so much considered virtuous and triumphant after his death. The prince’s soul would endure the punishment for his actions, in a place of tournament and outer darkness. Dante brings the reality of the soul’s place back for depiction of what defines righteousness. Worthiness and virtuousness are measured in one’s afterlife as mentioned in â€Å"The Inferno of Dante†. One’s failures will acknowledge themselves in the afterlife, and not soShow MoreRelated The Prince Essay1043 Words   |  5 Pagestheir ideas on politics, but none were better than those of Niccolo Machiavelli. Born in 1469, Niccolo was adamant in creating a master plan for seizing and controlling power. He voiced these themes on what it takes to be a prince of a state in his magnificent book, The Prince. In his book many themes were expressed in order to fulfill the role of a prince. These themes ranged from human nature to military force and most importantly virtue. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Machavelli believed that theRead MoreMachiavelli’s Political Ideas and Influence1477 Words   |  6 Pagesauthor and political figure from the Renaissance who embodied political realism was Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli was a Florentine born in 1469 and lived during the crux of the Renaissance. Before his career as an author Machiavelli was a Florentine ambassador in France and The Holy Roman Empire. Machiavelli studied Renaissance humanism and political realism. As a reaction to what he saw in the north, In 1513 Machiavelli wrote The Prince, which explained his ideas and experiences from his time as anRead MoreBiography of and Principles Taught By Niccolo Machiavelli Essay1047 Words   |  5 PagesMachiavelli Essay: Question 1 Born in the 15th century, Niccolà ² Machiavelli was an Italian historian, politician, philosopher, diplomat and humanist. Following his career as an official in the Florentine Republic, Machiavelli was a founder of modern political science and political ethics. In the political treatise The Prince, written in 1532, Machiavelli outlines several key traits of a successful princedom such as; how to incorporate newly acquired provinces, the most successful way to conquer territoriesRead MorePetrarch and Machiavelli Essay809 Words   |  4 PagesThoughts on Ruling: Machiavelli VS. Petrarch In the fourteenth century, the humanist philosopher Francesco Petrarch wrote a letter entitled How a Ruler Ought to Govern His Sate. Nearly a century later, another philosopher by the name of Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book about governing, The Prince. The two documents show many similarities in content and theme. While the two wrote in similar subject matter, it is clear that these philosophers possess distinctly different viewpoints on how a rulerRead More Machiavellian Advice from The Prince1097 Words   |  5 PagesNiccolo Machiavelli was a middle-class and humanist-educated Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Although bestowed with the title of the father of modern political theory, Machiavelli has been, and continues to be widely misunderstood and misinterpreted (Kreis). The term â€Å"Machiavellian,† and it is in the dictionary, is defined as subtle or unscrupulous cunning, decepti on, expediency, or dishonesty (Dictionary)Read MoreMachiavelli Ecclesiastical Principalities1238 Words   |  5 Pages(with citations) The Prince is Machiavelli’s guide for ruling and conquering states. Machiavelli elaborates on various ways to acquire principalities and provides the reader with a straightforward guide on how to successfully conquer and maintain control over states. Machiavelli analyses the strengths and flaws of certain paths to conquest, how to maintain a hold on power and the importance of strong arms. Machiavelli sees humans as easily persuaded and simple minded. He believes that all people wantRead MoreEssay on Princely Power1621 Words   |  7 PagesPrincely Power Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince contains a very unique section entitled Princely Virtues in which Machiavelli takes on a how-to approach in regards to becoming a prince. The instructional qualities of the novel lead its reader to create in themselves an image of not the most virtuous, but in Machiavellis eyes, the most effective prince. In the selections found in chapters 15-26, Machiavelli teaches his intended princely students the necessary political skills that a princeRead MoreMachiavelli s On Human Nature1531 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli on Human Nature Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes were two modern political theorists who presented new ideas about political organization in the 16th and 17th century. While Machiavelli focused his written works on ideas related to effective governance, Hobbes attempts to explain the necessity of establishing a ruler to maintain peace and stability. Although Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes focused on different aspects of political theory, both thinkers addressed the conceptRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Julius Caesar Essay1609 Words   |  7 Pagesexplained using the observations of Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince. In this book Machiavelli outlines the characteristics of a successful leader. When using The Prince as a lens to read Julius Caesar, the correlation between a leader’s Machiavellianism and their success becomes very apparent. Marcus Brutus is undoubtedly an honorable and respectable man, but his morality prevents him from adhering to Machiavelli’s principles . Due to his lack of princely virtues, Brutus is doomed to fail, whileRead MoreNiccolo Machiavelli s The Prince1293 Words   |  6 PagesBy many, Niccolà ² Machiavelli is infamous for being one of the most controversial political philosophers during the period of 1494-1564. Machiavelli is a realist whose lack of idealistic optimism is the root of his cynicism towards human nature and human weakness. He is a perpetuator of the idea that â€Å"the means justifies the end.† Although an ample amount of individuals criticize his principles, many rational thinkers embrace the political realities he so adamantly acquaints his readers with in his

Ethiopian Independence Essay - 1051 Words

During the age of imperialism, a group of western counties succeeded in conquering much of the globe. In 1884 those countries turned their sites on Africa during the Berlin conference, and by the end of the nineteenth century Africa was dominated almost entirely by the colonial powers. There was, however, one country that was able to resist the land hungry powers, and remain independent, and that was Ethiopia. During 1896, they were able to successfully fend off an Italian attack at the battle of Adowa, making them only one of two African nations able to resist colonial rule. That freedom lasted until 1936, when they were briefly subject to Italian rule through World War II. The battle of Adowa began in 1896, after Italy was†¦show more content†¦Another disadvantage to the Italian offensive was geography. Ethiopia is located in isolated mountainous terrain. When General Baratieri devised his plan of attack, he thought he would be able to approach under the cover of darkness, and attack them from above. However, when he made his approach, he soon discovered just how poor his maps of the area were. To make matters worse, the harsh terrain was difficult to cross, and communications with his troops were problematic (â€Å"Battle of Adwa†). In the midst of the difficulties, many soldiers became lost. Eventually there was so much confusion, that a two mile gap opened up between the Italian forces (Blake). That presented an opportunity for the Ethiopians, who quickly filled in the gap with their own soldiers. As the battle continued on, it was Menelik and his men who got the high ground, and hit Baratieris army from above. In the end, it was an embarrassing loss for Italy, where 289 officers, 2,918 Europeans, and 2,000 Askari were killed (â€Å"Battle of Adwa†). Because that devastating loss, Italy was forced to sign the treaty of Addis Ababa in 1896, ending the war on Meneliks terms (Blake). During 1935, Italy again decided to attack Ethiopia at the behest of Mussolini. This time, yet another governor of Eritrea, Emilio De Bono, was put in charge of the attack. Yet again geography put the Italians at a disadvantage. On October 3, 1935, De Bono approached into Ethiopia, andShow MoreRelatedThe Revolutionary Era Took Place From 1763-17891374 Words   |  6 Pages Second Continental Congress, State house (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, new members included Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson, Virginian, drafted Declaration of Independence in early summer 1776. Franklin and Adams helped revise the Declaration of Independence in justifying the need for independence. July 4, 1776, Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Declaration of Independence signed by 56 delegates of the Second ContinentalRead MoreThe Whining Nigger and Benjamin Banneker1344 Words   |  6 Pagesnew federal city (the original District of Columbia) that would become the nations capital. A notice first printed in the Georgetown Weekly Ledger and later copied in other newspapers stated that Ellicott was attended by Benjamin Banneker, an Ethiopian, whose abilities, as a surveyor, and an astronomer, clearly prove that Mr. Jeffersons concluding that race of men were void of mental endowments, was without foundation. In 1792, Banneker published an almanac, based on his own painstakingly calculatedRead MoreNationalism : Issues And Achievements1217 Words   |  5 Pagessovereignty, French Somaliland was in fact not Somali at all, but Ethiopian. But the Issa became more compelled to immigrate and dominated the Djiboutian. During this time, governmental roles only constituted French and Arab business leaders, not indigenous Afar peoples. Political consciousness was awakened once Nasser’s Revolution in Egypt took place, which disseminated its anti-colonial and pro-nationalist message. The Algerian War of Independence whose ripple effect was felt all over the Maghreb furtherRead MoreIs the Stability of the Horn of Africa Contingent on a Peace Agreement Between Ethiopia and Eritrea?1410 Words   |  6 Pagesthen the Horn of Africa as a region will follow suit thus bringing stability to this region. Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa. Ethiopia’s population is 64.1 million and the national capital is Addis Ababa. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in May 1993. Eritrea’s population is 4.1 million and the national capital is Asmara. â€Å"Eritrea was an Italian colony for sixty years prior to becoming united to Ethiopia in a Federation from 1952 until 1962. Ethiopia annexed EritreaRead MoreAfrican Voices : African American1551 Words   |  7 Pagestake from eighteenth century was greed and domination. The greed of the Europeans for the precious metal caused the exploitation of the enslaved Africans Judging from the excerpts from Nzinga Mbemba and more we can conceive that the decline of independence of Kà ´ngo began early. After Alfonzos death the country had many seeking the throne. The people of Kà ´ngo were taken and sold for commodities. However, the terrible journeys they embarked on were nothing of the violence they would face in the AmericasRead MoreThe Cultural Norms Of Ethiopia1545 Words   |  7 Pagespopulation of the country strives to sustain its independence. In Africa, the things that the residents value the most comprise of religion, languages, events and festivals, music, food, and art. The three major groups of people within Ethiopia comprise of the Gallas, Shankellas, and Amharas. For the Amharas, they mostly operate as farmers while they reside in Ethiopian northern central highlands. The group comprises of around a third of the entire Ethiopian population both politically and culturally (GetahunRead MoreEthiopi A Country Living Of Poverty900 Words   |à ‚  4 PagesUnfortunately, Ethiopia is considered to be a country living in poverty. However, Ethiopians are continuously striving towards perfecting their country. The people of Ethiopia are determined to rise above the challenges and put forth the effort to fix their state of poverty. In the following portfolio, the author will compare and contrast the key features in Ethiopia, observe the future challenges and directions that health care is striving to achieve, and describe the key contributions that helpRead MoreBlack Gold : The World Coffee Market And An Ethiopian Fair Trade Cooperative1553 Words   |  7 Pagesworld coffee market and an Ethiopian fair trade cooperative. Ethiopia being the birthplace of coffee is the largest producer of coffee in the world, producing some of the highest quality of coffee beans in the world, like Harar, Yuban and Sidamo types of coffee. The significant problems pointed out in this documentary show what is wrong in the global trading system. Ma inly, while most of us continue have our lattes and specialty coffees, the amount paid to the Ethiopian coffee farmers is so lowRead MoreSomalias Struggle for Power Essay example1524 Words   |  7 PagesSomali Never Ending Wars Somali and Ethiopians share a long history of power struggle over disputed border boundaries. The earliest hostile encounters between Somali and Ethiopians, dates back to the sixteenth century during Imam Ahmed Ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi or Ahmed Gran’s jihad (holy war) (Gorman, 1981). Gran’s Muslim forces took control of a vast portion of Ethiopia and forced thousand to convert to Islam that left a deep physiological affect between Ethiopians and Somali’s. Ahmed Gran’s, successRead MoreThe International Price Of Coffee1004 Words   |  5 Pagesextensive coffee trade can only get paltry profits from the world market. Black Gold is a documentary about Ethiopian coffee farmers’ struggle to seek fairer prices for their products. The mainline follows a man named Tadesse Meskela, who works as a general manager for the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-Operative Union. He traveled between developed countries and his nation Ethiopia, trying to sell Ethiopian coffee beans into a better deal in order to provide the farmers a greater profit. As the documentary reveals

Creation Vs Evolution Essay Example For Students

Creation Vs Evolution Essay There are many different life forms on earth. New species and different sub species are evolving every second as others die out. In order to explain the origin of life, people have used the bible story of creation, while others came up with their own theories. Out of all those theories, the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin seems to have the most supporting evidence to back it up. Evidence on earth suggests that single cell creatures are the ancestors of all life. These organisms slowly evolved into air breathing creatures when oxygen was created. Slowly, the as land dried up, these creatures moved away from the water and on to land where they evolved legs and a strong back bone. The theory of evolution by Charles Darwin explained how life evolved from survival of the fittest, it provides a logical explanation of the evolutionary process these creatures took, and how human came to be. Evidence on earth shows that single cell organisms eventually evolved to multicelled organisms and complex beings. If you look at old fossil records, the oldest fossils are all single cell creatures. These simple creatures do not require oxygen to live. It took in energy from the sun and other energy sources. Slowly as oxygen begins to appear on Earth, some of the organisms began to evolve lungs to breathe oxygen because When free oxygen entered the picture. Breathing is more efficient than drawing energy from the fermentation process that earlier microscope life used. (Science: Biology Pg. 36) Other organisms that did not evolve lungs either died out or went down to deeper depths of the ocean; Oxygen was first consider a pollutant by microscopic creatures. (Evolution Pg. 36) Because of the free Oxygen those who did not change were killed. The evolution through natural selection and survival of the fittest shows that Darwin theory is correct. Due to the lack of oxygen within the ocean , fish slowly evolved to the condition of land. Due to the sudden increase in the population of fish and other marine organism. Due to the sudden increase in the population of marines life, the oxygen level within the ocean decreased. Scientist believe that the lung fish evolved because of a lack of oxygen in the sea. The lung fish learned to rise from the sea and breathe in the oxygen necessary for survival. (Evolution evidence Pg. 38) As more land emerges and dry, rain collected and formed fresh water lakes and rivers. Some of the fish became stranded by the receding ocean. Many fish that became stranded died because they were not able to adapt to the new environment; those fish needed salt water to lived died. But some adapted to their environment. (Evolution Pg. 38) The lobe fin fish was another evolutionary path fish toke to avoid the lack of oxygen in the sea. Fossil record shows that lobe finned lung fish took another evolutionary path. (Microsoft Encarta Pg. 2) The lobe fin fish was almost capable of leaving the water. It only needed more muscles in the joints to be able to lift it self up, because of this many people believe that the lobe fin fish was the ancestor of early reptilian creatures. The different evolutionary paths the fish have taken shows that life changes in responses to different environmental conditions. Fossil records in South America, reveals that there are many sub species of the human race. The fossil of Neanderthal man was discover shortly after Darwin published his book on evolution.. The Neanderthal man was consider to be an ancestor of mankind because of the size of the skull which suggested that it had a small brain. The sloping forehead is also an indication that it is a ancestor of the human race. Not long after the discovery of the Neanderthal was found in the 1890s. This fossil was called the Java Man, the Java Man was not consider the missing link between humans and apes. Language Arts Intervention Programs Increase Student Achievement EssayScientists also noticed that embryos of many different animals looked so similarthat it was hard to tell them apart. Embryos are organisms at early stages ofdevelopment. These similarities show that similar genes are present. The factthat early development of fish, birds, and humans is similar shows that theseanimals share a common ancestor, who had a particular gene sequence thatcontrolled its early development. That sequence has been passed on to thespecies that descended from it. In the embryos of many animals the limbs thatdevelop look very similar. But as the embryos mature, the limbs grow into arms,legs, flippers that differ greatly in form and function. These differentforelimbs evolved in a series of evolutionary changes that altered the structureand appearance of the arm and leg bones of different animals. Each type of limbis adapted in a different way to help the organism survive in its environment. Structures like these, which meet different needs but develop from the same bodyparts, are called homologous structures. This is all additional evidence ofdescent from a common ancestor. There are other theories for the origin ofspecies including special creation and panspermia. Special creation involveshumans. Many people believe that humans were created by God; so the theories ofevolution go against their religions especially why they do not see Godshands in the process. As for panspermia, it suggests that life could haveoriginated somewhere else and came to us from space. This might be possible butthere is actually no supporting evidence for it. Paleontology has also played abig role in the study of evolution. Over the years, paleontologists havecollected millions of fossils to make up the fossil record. The fossil recordrepresents the preserved history of the Earths organisms. Paleontologistshave assembled great evolutionary histories for many animal groups. An examplewould be lo oking at probable relationships between ancient animals whoseevolutionary line gave rise to todays modern horse. The fossil record alsotells us that change followed change on Earth. Scientists can use radioactivityto determine the actual age of rocks. In rocks, radioactive elements decay intonon-radioactive elements at a very steady rate. Scientists measure this rate ofradioactive decay in a unit called a half-life. A half-life is the length oftime required for half the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. Eachradioactive elements has a different half-life. Carbon-14 is particularly usefulbecause it can be used to date material that was once alive. Because carbon-14is present in the atmosphere, livings things take it into their bodies whiletheyre alive. So the relative amount of carbon-14 in organic material cantell us how long ago this material stopped taking in new carbon into its system. That was the time it died. Then, a graph is used to determine the time. This isthe way scientists can deduce the approximate age of materials based on a simpledecay curve for a radioisotope. In organisms, variations in specific moleculescan indicate phylogeny; and biochemical variations can be used as anevolutionary clock. Phylogeny is the line of evolutionary descent. Biochemistrycan be used to support other evidence about revolutionary relationships, and itcan be very simple. Scientists study similar molecules in different species anddetermine how much difference there is between the molecules. The moredifference there is, the longer the time-span since the two species shared acommon ancestor. The most commonly used substances in this technique arehemoglobin , cytochrome c, and nucleic acids. Hemoglobin is suited to studyingcloser related organisms that contain hemoglobin. Cytochrome c has been used tocompare groups that are more different. The results from comparativebiochemistry lone do not prove anything, but they confirm data found using othermethods. Together, they become convincing. Today, the theory of evolution isgenerally considered to be the most important fundamental concept in thebiological sciences. Nearly all scientists support it. However, large numbers ofpeople opposed the theory when it was introduces. Still, some people do notaccept it today. Bibliography1. Arms, Camp. Chapter 17, Evolution and Natural Selection,Chapter 21, Origin of Life. Biology. Bonnie Boehme. Fourth Edition. The United States of America. Harcourt Brace College Publishers; 1995. Pages352-372, 440-455 2. Curtis, Barnes. Chapter 46, Evolution: Theory andEvidence, Chapter 48,Natural Selection, Chapter 49 Onthe Origin of Species. Biology. Sally Anderson. Fifth Edition. New York,USA; Worth; 1989: Pages 961-973, 991-1029 3. Roberts, M.B.V. Chapter 34, Evolution in Evidence, Chapter 35,The Mechanism of Evolution,Biology. Fourth Edition. Surrey, UK; Nelson; 1986: Pages 560-616 4. The WorldBook Encyclopedia. World Book, inc. London: v.6; Pages 406-413Evolution. 5. Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. Chicago: v.4; Page 623 Evolution. 6. http://www.talkorigins.org/origins/faqs-evolution.html7. http://www.wku.edu/smithch/index1.htm 8. http://bioinfo.med.utoronto.ca/lamoran/Evolution_home.shtml

Isaac Newton Essays (2567 words) - Copernican Revolution

Isaac Newton Thesis Statement: Through his early life experiences and with the knowledge left by his predecessors, Sir Isaac Newton was able to develop calculus, natural forces, and optics. From birth to early childhood, Isaac Newton overcame many personal, social, and mental hardships. It is through these experiences that helped create the person society knows him as in this day and age. The beginning of these obstacles started at birth for Newton. Isaac was born premature on Christmas Day 1642, in the manor house of Woolsthorpe, 7 miles south of Grantham in Lincolnshire. It is said that "Because Galileo, . . . had died that year, a significance attaches itself to 1642" (Westfall 1). Though his father had died before Isaac was born, he was given his father's name. He was born into a farming family that had worked their way slowly up the "social ladder". The Newton's were one of the few families to prosper in Lincolnshire (Westfall 1). At the age of three Isaac's life would take a drastic turn. When Isaac was three his mother, Hannah Ayscough, remarried to the Reverend Barnabas Smith (Internet-newtonia). Isaac and the Reverend never got along and the Reverend would not have a child that was not his living with him. Isaac stayed with his grandparents when his mother went to live with the Reverend in North Witham. His maternal grandmother raised Isaac until he was ten. It is believed that his mother's second marriage and her leaving caused many problems for Isaac as a child. While living with his grandparents he attended day school nearby in Skillington and Stoke. Isaac was surrounded by many cousins and other family members in the surrounding area though, "He formed no bond with any of his numerous relatives that can be traced later in his life" (Westfall 11). In 1653 his mother returned after her second husband died. With her she brought one half brother and two half sisters. Although it is not known, bitterness may have inflicted Isaac when his three new siblings arrived. Never the less, two years later at the age of twelve he was sent to Grantham to attend grammar school. While attending grammar school Isaac lived with the apothecary Mr. Clark (Westfall 12). Mr. Clark had three stepchildren from the first marriage of his wife, Miss Storer, who were also living in his house. In school and at home Isaac was apparently different and did not get along with any other boys. He was often in fights and remembered only one nice boy from school, Chrichloe. All the other boys seemed to hate him. He was more comfortable in the company of girls. He made doll furniture for Mr. Clark's daughter. From this Isaac's first and last romantic experience developed. "Indeed, as the two grew older, something of a romance apparently developed between him and Miss Storer" (Westfall 13). From doll furniture Newton moved on to other little machines. He used all the money his mother sent him to buy tools and filled his room with the machines. He fell in love with Mr. Clark's library and would read as often as possible. At times he would spend so much time on projects that he would fall behind in school. When he realized he was falling behind all Isaac had to do was pick up his textbook and would immediately be caught up. Through his machines Newton became proficient in drawing and his inventions steadily became more elaborate. At the age of seventeen in 1659, Newton left Mr. Clark and had another life changing experience. When Newton was seventeen his mother took him out of school and brought him back to the family farm. Trying to teach him how to run the farm and manage the estate was a failure. Newton would always bribe a hired hand to do the work he was supposed to. When he was supposed to be in town selling produce he would go to his old room in Mr. Clark's house and read or play with his machines. In all of his spare time he returned to inventing and building machines. Newton's uncle and old schoolmaster saw that he was in the wrong trade and urged his mother to prepare him to attend the University (Westfall 17). In 1660 he returned to Grantham to finish grammar school and prepare for the university. In June of 1661 Newton entered Trinity College, Cambridge (Internet-groups). While at Cambridge Newton studied mathematics (Internet-newtonia). This is when Newton first started to delve into the many discoveries he would soon be making.