1. Machiavelli vs. Rousseau
Lord of the Flies
Machiavelli
vs.
Rousseau

2. Rousseau vs. Machiavelli

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Believed that human nature is basically good and only turns evil because of exposure to an evil or negative environment
He argued that all people are born good
“Good” in the sense of able to take care of themselves
Just as animals are neither good nor evil, people, if they live by natural instinct, are neither good nor evil
It is our natural state
By being close to nature we are more likely to live a life of virtue
We are corrupted by society

4. R- General Will
He does acknowledge that as a whole we have a “general will”
Common good/ public interest
All citizens should be committed to the common good even if it goes against personal or private interests
Put the group before the individual

5. Problems with this?
If we put the general whole over the individual, then there need to be safeguards to protect individuals from being exploited
If may be dangerous to have a common good, the majority may get all power over the minority or the minority may have all the power over the majority
Either way, at least one group of people are being unheard

6. Niccolo Machiavelli
Believed human nature is basically evil and that only laws keep us from becoming violent creatures
Basically, he argues that there is sometimes a need for evil and we must be able to be evil when it is needed
Mainly, he is addressing his argument to that idea of having power, those who need to keep power must be willing to be cruel if need be
It is through keeping power that the ruler is able to keep everyone else in line

7. Machiavellianism
The political doctrine of Machiavelli, which denies the relevance of morality in political affairs and holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing and maintaining political power
By any means necessary

8. Problems with this? It encourages people to be cruel
It tells people of power that it is right and justifiable to be cruel and do evil things
For these ideas, Machiavelli was considered a “teacher of evil”

9. Who do you support?
Who do you think you most identify with or most believe? Or will use in your essay?
Why did you pick that one?
What do you have to say about the problems that your decision has?