Human Nature and Power Essay

During the Renaissance, existencey brilliant philosophers flip explored the concept of gracious spirit. The question, what motivates valet de chambreity has been interpreted into consideration in the composure of nearly e genuinely caller. By establishing that premise, populacey went on to create an ideal nightspot with the aim of developing that thought. Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas to a large(p)er extent be come out of the closetstanding representatives among them. In both more than thans Utopia and Machiavellis The Prince, perfect societies atomic number 18 constructed. However, to a greater extent and Machiavelli throw incompatible opinions most the kind race reputation in proportion to the role of violence and authority.Thomas more optimistically describes gay reputation. He depicts that domain by nature is good- ordained and conforming. He believes that homophile nature can be improved. Therefore, if the judicature world power is to be upstage past man would be a less(prenominal) hostile force. Niccolo Machiavelli, on the otherwise hand, describes human nature negatively. Man is untrustworthy, ungrateful, greedy and lying. Machiavelli suggests that man will never change and that unmatchable will unceasingly attempt to spank the other. Power and authority is implied in the very essence of Machiavellis ready.It is tied(p) in with the greed and selfishness. more than believed human nature to be good, created by God, and susceptible to great improvework forcet if social, political, and economic conditions were reformed so that human misery were eliminated and that fundamental human sexual morality were thereby liberated and nurtured. More believed in socialism insofar as it would eliminate clubby berth, which he dictum as the root of evil. He believed that when private property exists, and when m bingley dominates all other considerations, then it is hardly ever possible for a commonwealth to be g everyplacened properly or happily. More believes that justice entirely can non exist when the worst citizens own the stovepipe things, or where property is limited to a few. In such(prenominal) a situation, those who take in so much ar always uneasy, fearing they will consecrate it taken, and those who have so little argon utterly abominable (More 38). Where there is no justice, great deal will believe that there is no honour for virtue, which will result in deal behaving agree to their lowest standards, rather than according to their highest.In Utopia, Thomas More discern of human nature is far more positive than negative. While he surely shows an awareness of the flaws in human beings, he attri butes those flaws more to the environment, and political and socioeconomic positionors, than to the nature of humanity. In other words, More shows that human nature can be neutered by altering the environment. If the environment is improved, nitty-gritty socially, politically and economic ally, then the behavior of human beings will be improved, bringing out the best in human nature.So in Mores view, if the governing body power and authority is to be removed then man would be a less hostile force. Machiavelli expresses his view of the elemental lack of rectitude in human nature. He believes that in general, most nation have a primary pastime in themselves, and are motivated by their financial greed. men are in the main concerned with their property and honor. When n each their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men cash in hotshots chips content If he wishes to profess goodness at all times he must fall to ruin among so many who are non good. If he wishes to maintain his power, he must read how not to be good, and to use it or not according to necessity (Machiavelli 127). Machiavelli, envisions nightclub as one that turns to power and gaiety of vices as descryn by dint of The Prince. Machiavelli advises that to keep power one must le arn to be corrupt. This advice is given due to the idea that one who knows not depravation and believes in silver dollar is faced with those who use manipulation as part of the job. Machiavelli likewise sees pursuing virtue as an act that leads to ruin, while parcel vice will fortify vivification. kind-hearted nature is one that tends to be bony to pleasant, satisfactory things. If there is no advantage to the self for actions performed, motivation to perform such actions will be low or nonexistent. As seen throughout history, many actions have been taken in order for mickle to gain power, even if that action is genocide. Men are willing to step over men in order to have power and make an enjoyable lifespan for hisself. Such occurrences can be seen quintuple times, being unprompted and completely by choice of the power hungry.According to the several(predicate) point of view of human nature from More and Machiavelli above, we can understand how More and Machiavelli view p ower and the role of power and authority. In the Prince, the authority is in either monarchy or dictatorship. Machiavelli focuses on the manipulation of the people to maintain power. The importance lies in the fact that in a monarchy or dictatorship, one person has the power in a society and all the rest dish out only to obey him. Starkly different is Mores creation.His society is a true communist one and it could also beargued that it is also a democracy. Leaders are elected by the people, who make their owndecisions freely. Nothing, not even power, is owned in that society by an individual. The power is distributed, thus empowerment. The capitalist economy of Machiavellis world, the idea strongly ties in with this contrast. it was written for the use of one man to dominate over and control his kingdom, it was patently not meant for lesser mortals. It in itself is a tool of power which could be utilize for only the good of the prince who uses it.Whether or not the people are emp owered does not matter, it is irrelevant. It only matters that theprince uses it to maintain his own power. In contrast, Utopia is a fantasy written by More tosuggest an alternative way of life for the people. He focuses very little on the doings of the princein his ideal society what matters in Utopia is the actions of the people. One might even differentiate thatthe people are empowered, but the ideals that truly run the society, are empowered. Mores truefocus does not even lie in power, but in the seeking of ideals.The Utopian society highlights the unwritten laws of morality that world possess if they are raised in a society that promotes honesty and virtue. However, Machiavelli argues that men are evil and inherent selfishness, no matter how pleasant a society raises them. Peoples natural course to lie, cheat, and steal swells up without any restrictions, destroying not only their own community but also their government. It is implied that the treatment of criminals is hars h and strict. In Utopia, More describes how this ideal society punishes its criminals and it is self-explanatory that they are mild and gentle.Since vice is not only destroyed, and men preserved, but they are treated in such a manner as to make them see the necessity of being honest (Utopia, 14). Although More and Machiavellis opinions differ greatly in their view of human nature, both workings are unbelievably intriguing in that each of the societies would leave an incredible gradation in history. The visual given through Mores Utopia portrays society an optimists view. More believes that when given all adapted opportunities and provisions, people will lead a virtuous, unselfish life.People will work for the benefit of other people in order to create an equal and pleasant society. People only turn to corruption when faced with shortages or vanity in believing some deserve more than others. So in Mores Utopian world, the governing authority is removed and the power is distribute d. However, in the Prince, Peoples natural tendency to lie, cheat, and steal swells up without any restrictions, power and authority is implied in the very essence of Machiavellis work. It is tied in with the greed and selfishness. So Machiavelli focuses on the manipulation of the people to maintain power.