A German existentialist by the name of Friedrich Nietzsche believed in a race of “supermen” that would arise and be free sprits unencumbered by morality, acting “beyond good and evil.” Nietzsche believed that “God was dead,” and man must rise to the occasion and become godlike. In order to become these godlike men, however, we would have to get rid of all outside constraints, such as morality. In a similar manner Niccolo Machiavelli felt the same way. Nietzsche and Machiavelli both had problems with conventional morality, and they saw it holding back the strong. Machiavelli had no problem with rulers being cruel, dishonest, and warlike if it was intended for the best interest of the state. In his most famous work, “Il Principe,” or “The Price,” Machiavelli discusses four key aspects of becoming a great ruler. The four themes or principles Machiavelli outlines are Human Nature, Virtue and Fortune, Good Will and Hatred, and Statesmanship and Warcraft.
Machiavelli had a good......
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