Niccolo Machiavelli's Change In The Scientific Revolution And Secularism Essay

The Age of Enlightenment saw many great changes in Western Europe. It was an age of reason and philosophes. During this age, changes the likes of which had not been seen since ancient times took place. Such change affected evert pore of Western European society. Many might argue that the Enlightenment really did not bring any real change, however, there exists and overwhelming amount of facts which prove, without question, that the spirit of the Enlightenment was one of change-specifically change which went against the previous teachings of the Catholic Church. Such change is apparent in the ideas, questions, and philosophies of the time, in the study of science, and throughout the monarchial system.

“There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless” (Niccolò Quotes). Niccolò Machiavelli was one of the greatest influences on our world today. His research and philosophies explored new strategies and ways of thinking. Machiavelli was before his own time and possibly had the utmost influence on the world of any person from the Renaissance. Machiavelli’s life is greatly a part of history as well as his influence and importance.

In the 17th and 18th Century, a new age erupted in Europe that shaped the world and it’s ideas to this day, called the Enlightenment Period or the Age of Reason. During the Enlightenment Period, hundreds of individual ideas were expressed between philosophers as well as the citizens of England and France. Interestingly enough, most of these ideas seemed to share one central theme together. This theme was around individual freedoms that people can and should have, and the natural rights they should also hold. In these discussions of individual freedoms, sprouted innovative ideas regarding politics, economics, religion, and social rights.

The Scientific Revolution was an unprecedented event that “was revolutionary because it fundamentally challenged [the religious] understanding of the universe,” and sewed the seeds for the Enlightenment. As exemplified by the Scientific Revolution, that which is revolutionary is based upon ideological shifts in society, and requires the upheaval and restructuring of social and political systems. The Age of Enlightenment cultivated an intellectual climate in which individuals were encouraged to observe the world through a lens of skepticism and reason, leading to the analysis and rejection of oppressive entities. Integrating Enlightenment values into Western governmental systems stimulated a chain of events that became known as the Atlantic Revolutions. Despite the Enlightenment thinkers utilizing universal terminology, the American and French Revolutions focused on land-owning white men, the Haitian Revolution was concerned only with newly freed males, and early feminism was exclusive to white individuals and preferential to the wealthy. The more closely a message adhered to the universal nature of Enlightenment concepts, and in doing so criticized existing socio-political structures, the more revolutionary its associated movement was considered. Thus, it is clear that the revolutionary assertions of the Continental Congress, Marquis de Lafayette, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Toussaint L’Ouverture made Enlightenment philosophy applicable to the governments and social structures

Beginning in the 1600’s, a period of enlightenment swept through Europe. Scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton and Thomas Hobbes made revolutionary advances in science, politics, and literature. This age of restoration and enlightenment valued scientific reasoning, such as in Jonathon Swift’s A Modest Proposal. In addition to the emphasis on logic and intelligence, the 18th century brought forth an age of self-discovery; further explained in Alexander Pope’s The Essay on Man.

The Enlightenment period was the time for reform and reason. The Renaissance, Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment era all had similarities, differences and major impacts on Western’s history, but by far the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment was the most beneficial back then and even now. “The Renaissance then brought advances in invention, the arts, and a revival of citizenship; the Reformation unleashed individuality and free thinking about God and nature; the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment then ushered in the

The 18th century, otherwise known as the “Age of Enlightenment”, was a time period where Europe transformed intellectually and socially. Cultivated by the great thinkers such as John Locke, Adam Smith, and Thomas Hobbes, they impacted the social built of monarchy power structure, rise in democracy, and capitalism. The Age of Enlightenment brought forth science as the basis to developing a new world, a new civilization. During the intellectual movement, these scholastics swarm throughout Europe slowly reforming society. The idea of science and innovated thinking shattered the main foundation of the Catholic Church, religious doctrines, and aristocracy.

One of Machiavelli’s most well-known philosophies is that of “it is safer to be feared than loved…” (69). Idi Amin, also known as the ‘Butcher of Uganda’ for his cruelness and ruthlessness, clearly illustrates an example of this belief in practice. After seizing power by overthrowing former President Milton Obote, Idi Amin wanted to rid of any threat to his newly attained power, so he formed the Public Safety Unit (PSU) and had the organization “redouble their efforts to uncover subversives and other imagined enemies of the state.” For the people of Uganda, “fear and insecurity became a way of life… as thousands of people disappeared.”. Amin established an environment filled with fear and angst. The brutal and intimidating dictator knew that

notify him of the arrival of the thinkers) My dear Lorenzo, I have great news to inform you.

As with all philosophers of his time, Machiavelli was heavily inspired by Plato and other greek philosophers. However, while he may have been influenced by Plato, Machiavelli does not agree with many of Plato’s principles and beliefs. In short Machiavelli believed that leaders should act in ways that were best for the state or government, while Plato, on the other hand, had a contrasting belief. Plato philosophized that people should lead with moral values.

Enlightenment philosophers, like Voltaire, railed against organized theocracies and argued that religion prevented rational inquiry while it endorsed repression, tyranny and war. The philosophy of Immanuel Kant, who sought, “liberation of the human mind from the dogmatic state of ignorance,” had a major impact on the future ideology of revolutionaries.4 It was Enlightenment ideas which challenged people to question religious orthodoxy and use their own intelligence to draw conclusions about the legitimacy of traditional authority. These philosophies were the foundation of modern, egalitarian, democratic societies which would later replace Louis XVI’s absolutist monarchy. Enlightenment ideals had profound effects upon the politics of the early and mid-nineteenth century. However, a severe backlash against rationalism and liberal ideologies in France caused the return of church-state power; while conversely, in the state of Prussia, Enlightenment ideals inspired a suppression of the church’s power.5 Whether or not Enlightenment ideals and values were able to root themselves permanently in society, the introduction and widespread acceptance of secular ideas created major changes across Europe.

Niccolo Machiavelli and John Locke are, in simple terms, two vastly different kinds of people. They were separated by nearly two centuries, and lived in two different countries. Despite their contradictions on sovereignty, both Locke and Machiavelli shared a primary concern- the betterment of society.

Machiavelli criticizes the church. He did not agree with the church, though some biblical themes are found in his writings. Arms takes precedence over laws but religion takes precedence over arms. Christianity has educated humans against liberty. Founding of new religions is the result of men not of the heavens. Machiavelli wanted to reinterpret Christianity to secure political advantages.

John Locke has a dissimilar opinion than Machiavelli. He is basically against Machiavelli because he believes that “an authoritarian government is unlawful and unjust to society.”(Locke) John Locke believes that” all men are created equal, have the right to own property and are naturally moral and rational.” Locke believed in a natural right to life, liberty, and property; “inherent rights to freedom and self-governance that no one can take away from people.” (Locke) He thinks that people should govern themselves and be accountable for their actions. Locke describes “political power as the right to make the laws for the

Niccolò Machiavelli thoroughly discusses the importance of religion in the formation and maintenance of political authority in his famous works, The Prince and The Discourses. In his writing on religion, he states that religion is beneficiary in the formation of political authority and political leaders must support and endorse religion in order to maintain power. However, Machiavelli also critiques corrupt religious institutions that become involved in politics and in turn, cause corruption in the citizenry and divisions among the state. In the following essay, I will examine Machiavelli's analysis of religion and discuss the relationship between religion and politics in Machiavelli's thought.