History of Philosophy

Philosophy of the Modern Age

Political Philosophy of the Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period when European philosophers and artists were captivated by the legacy of Antiquity. Given that Plato and Aristotle had devoted significant attention to politics, political philosophy during the Renaissance received a new breath of life, spawning intriguing doctrines:

• The Italian Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) published The Prince in 1513, wherein he analyzed various forms of government and state structures, offering advice to rulers on the most effective means of governance. He articulated one of the most famous theories of state and society, asserting that the state represents the highest expression of human spirit. According to Machiavelli, humans are inherently wicked and selfish, and the state's role is to forcibly curb this malevolent nature. To achieve these ends, the state may employ any means, even breaching moral boundaries. Thus, Machiavelli introduced a fundamental separation between politics and morality, a concept now referred to as Machiavellianism.
• The English politician and philosopher Thomas More (1478-1535), Chancellor of England, who perished during the Reformation and the persecution of Catholics in England, authored several works. His most significant work is Utopia (1516), formally titled A Golden Book, both instructive and entertaining, about the best state and the new island of Utopia. The book is divided into two parts: the first critiques the state and society, particularly the absolutism entrenched in English politics under the Tudor dynasty. The second part contrasts this flawed state with an ideal one, established on the island of Utopia. More coined the term "utopia," which most scholars interpret as "a place that does not exist." In Utopia, there is no private property, which More viewed as the root of many evils; he believed that crime arises from the desire to accumulate possessions, and that removing the possibility of ownership would eliminate crime. Life in Utopia is well-ordered, leading to the happiness of its inhabitants.
• The Italian philosopher Tommaso Campanella (1568-1639) continued the tradition of utopian literature with his work The City of the Sun. In this book, he describes a non-existent city with optimal living conditions and a content population. This society has no private property, thus eliminating envy, malice, and crime. The people elect the wisest among them as the head of state, giving him the title of Metaphysician. The Metaphysician is assisted by a Triumvirate of Strength, Wisdom, and Love: Strength governs war and peace; Wisdom oversees education and science; Love manages administration, family life, upbringing, and so forth. In the City of the Sun, everyone performs tasks suited to their abilities, ensuring that all basic needs are met. The workday lasts four hours, but technological advancements are expected to further reduce it. A significant amount of time in the City of the Sun is devoted to education, occupying nearly all the time not spent on work or rest.