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Abstract
Moral virtue is supposed to be its own reward. In chapters 15 and following of The Prince, Machiavelli argues forcefully that this principle is not conducive to the happiness of rulers and their subjects (which is to say, of everyone). One must learn to judge by effects and to call virtuous those actions, and only those actions, which are truly rewarding because they promote one’s security, prosperity, and honor. This article shows that Aristotle — a primary, though unnamed, adversary of Machiavelli here — was familiar with arguments of this kind and replied to them. The article focuses on the two thinkers’ views regarding the relation between the noble and the good, with particular attention to their contrasting presentations of the virtue of liberality.
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Date
2019
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Keywords
Moral virtue, Political philosophy, Consequentialism, Liberality
Citation
Levy, David N. “Aristotle’s ‘Reply’ to Machiavelli on Morality.” Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy 45 (2): 179-197. 2019.