=====================================================
MACHIAVELLI'S VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE
In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is
drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the
ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and
put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. These interests were
gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power.1 His understanding of human
nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed and taught. Machiavelli…
