Machiavelli and Hobbes: A Christian Future, A Pagan Past

Excerpts from the Paper

Machiavelli and Hobbes: A Christian Future, A Pagan Past
Introduction
David
Wootton’s
introduction to the Selected Political Writings of Machiavelli seeks to situate the western world’s most infamous political advisor. In regard to his peculiar method of evaluating an individual,
Wootton
makes an interesting point: he writes that “In approving of someone, Machiavelli
standardly
refers to their
virtu
. By this he does not normally mean virtue in a Christian sense, for he has little time for humility or chastity” (
Wootton
xxix). The interesting part of this sentence is found in the stressed virtue in a Christian sense. At face value, such a claim merely separates Machiavelli from orthodox or typical Christian morality. However, if the...

.....ought to incorporate the martial glory of the Pagan religion and state. Hobbes, conversely, considered the Christian religion – in its most pure form – as the only correct way for religion to influence the state. Hobbes’ conclusion is rather unconvincing, as it leaves out the many wars and violence perpetuated in the name of the Christian God. Generally, Machiavelli’s evaluations and conclusions on Pagan and Christian religion are more balanced. They consider the historical realities of contemporary Europe and seek to find balance.
Works Cited
Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Ed. A.P.
Martinich
. Toronto: Broadview Press Ltd., 2002.
Machiavelli. Selected Political
Writngs
. Ed. David
Wootton
. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1994.