Programming Question

Instructions:

Address ALL of the following themes:

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Consider the different views of political authority as described in Plato’s Republic and Machiavelli’s The Prince:

Outline the most important qualities that Plato believes the best ruler/King should possess.  What role does justice play in the administration of government?  How do the actions of the ruler affect the lives of the citizens?

How does Machiavelli’s idea of virtù differ from Plato’s classical understanding of virtue?

What is the significance of the Utopia in Plato’s thought?  What does Machiavelli think of Utopias and of those who study them?

Compare and contrast the views of Plato and Machiavelli regarding whether the ruler should be truthful (or not) with his people: should he always tell the truth or is lying sometimes acceptable? Why?

Does Machiavelli ultimately believe that the state governed by the best ruler will be a happy one?  Does Plato?