MACHIAVELLI, Niccolo
- Era: 1469 - 1527
- Location: Italy
- Categories: POLITICS, PHILOSOPHY
Politician experienced from diplomatic service and interaction with local and international leaders and their representatives. Drawing on this subsequently in his writings in social and political philosophy, he provides critical advice for those involved in the affairs of state and active warfare. Evil means may well be justified for the achievement of better ends. 'Being Machiavellian' has come to connote (at best) critical realism or (at worst) amoral cynicism.
Life
Entry on Machiavelli from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Brief PBS biography of Machiavelli
Very brief biography of Machiavelli with links to other materials
Writings