Machiavelli has always been one of my favorite existentialists. His views of the world are fascinating and highly problematic in my opinion. Learning about Machiavelli through the perspective of humanism is very unique. He coheres to the newly discovered hubris of Europe very neatly. It shows the negatives of the new human focused  way of life. People often look at the positives of humanism; more culture, art and science, but neglect how  self centered it made everybody. Machiavelli had a highly pretentious and self serving way of thinking. He wrote about how the ends justify the means, which is a horrifying display of his moral characteristics. To say that it doesn’t matter what you do as long as it ends well is foolish and almost cynical. When we studied him, we looked at his book The Prince, where he talks about the previously mentioned piece of wisdom, and how to properly rule. Machiavelli states that it is better to be feared than loved because fear is a better motivator. He also postulates that it is easier to control the fear of people, than to control their love. He says that it is better to be completely in control. 

As with all unorthodox thinkers, there are concrete ideas mixed in with the half baked concepts. Machiavelli has a point when it comes to control. it is, however, an extremely convoluted point that he is making. I think that control is necessary when governing a large or powerful area, but I think that it is also possible (and preferable) to be able to maintain control while still being loved. When you think about it from a sustainability perspective, being loved makes for a much more supportable reign. Machiavelli argues that by showing weakness, like love, you open yourself up to being dethroned or attacked. I could say the same thing about being feared. People tend to like their rights, and if their rights are being infringed upon, people will challenge that. No one can maintain leadership with just one or the other, they really go hand in hand. 

I always enjoy reading existentialist papers because it really gives you an idea of what it’s like in somebody else’s mind. Machiavelli was arguably an evil man with questionable morals, but that’s what’s so interesting about studying him. He is totally different from you or me. Learning about people like this and their impact (or lack of) on history is a very beneficial thing to do. looking at how different people view the world can impact how you view the world. I like to see the best in people and look at life through rose colored glasses. I would never, of my own accord, view the world like Machiavelli does. By reading his paper, I am able to experience life in a totally different way, a way that I never would have been able to see before. Machiavelli had a dark yet intelligent mind, a mind that influences people to this day. For good or bad.