A comparative study of Hanfeizi and Machiavellis 英语论文.doc
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1、A comparative study of Hanfeizi and Machiavellis Abstract: As we know, Hanfeizi is the most representative figure of the legist school. His ideas are best described in his book “Hanfeizi ”,in which he strongly advocated the importance of “law”, “means”, “force ” for an emperor to control his country
2、. About one thousand years later, in Italy there was an politician named Machiavelli. In his famous book called “The Prince”, he adopted the same attitude with Hanfeizi towards how an emperor should rule his country. In this paper, the author tries to explore some similarities and some dissimilariti
3、es between the two great thinkers from the aspect of their background, their attitudes towards the nature and relationship of human beings and so on. I Similarities in their backgrounds Hanfeizi (280BC_233BC) was born in the Spring and Autumn Period in Han state. At that time Han state was the most
4、weakest state of the seven states. Hanfeizi ,who was much influenced by his teacher Xunzi and the Taoism, saw the political corruption in his country and put forward much useful advice to carry out reform. Unfortunately the emperor of Han would not like to adopt his ideas and let his country wither
5、away. However the emperor of Qinshihuang admired the talent of Hanfeizi and wanted to give him a position in Qin state. Although Qinshihuang finally killed Hanfeizi owing to listening to the unfaithful advice of Lisi., he ruled his country on the principles advocated by Hanfeizi. Until that time did
6、 the divived situation come to an end and the united central right come out.Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy at a time when the country was in political upheaval . Italy was divided between four dominant city-states, and each of these was continually at the mercy of the stronger foreign gover
7、nments of Europe. Since 1434 Florence was ruled by the wealthy Medici family. Their rule was temporarily interrupted by a reform movement, begun in 1494, in which the young Machiavelli became an important diplomat. When the Medici family regained power in 1512 with the help of Spanish troops, Machia
8、velli was tortured and removed from public life. For the next 10 years he devoted himself to writing history, political philosophy, and even plays. He ultimately gained favor with the Medici family and was called back to public duty for the last two years of his life. Machiavellis greatest work is T
9、he Prince, written in 1513 and published after his death in 1532. The work immediately provoked controversy and was soon condemned by Pope Clement VIII. Its main theme is that princes should retain absolute control of their territories, and they should use any means of expediency to accomplish this
10、end, including deceit. Scholars struggle over interpreting Machiavellis precise point. In several section Machiavelli praises Caesar Borgia, a Spanish aristocrat who became a notorious and much despised tyrant of the Romagna region of northern Italy. During Machiavellis early years as a diplomat, he
11、 was in contact with Borgia and witnessed Borgias rule first hand. Does Machiavelli hold up Borgia as the model prince? Some readers initially saw The Prince as a satire on absolute rulers such as Borgia, which showed the repugnance of arbitrary power (thereby implying the importance of liberty). Ho
12、wever, this theory fell apart when, in 1810, a letter by Machiavelli was discovered in which he reveals that he wrote The Prince to endear himself to the ruling Medici family in Florence. To liberate Italy from the influence of foreign governments, Machiavelli explains that strong indigenous governm
13、ents are important, even if they are absolutist.II Similarities in their attitudes reflected in their works1.On force From the experience Machiavelli learned that weak countries had no diplomatic relationship with other counties. In his work he put forward that the weakest thing in the world was the
14、 power that was exaggerated. He tried to persuade the emperor to make a strong army, which would become the solid foundation of any course. While Hanfeizi held the same opinion with Machiavelli, he said that the most important task for an emperor was to develop his country in many ways such as incre
15、asing the production of agriculture, establish clear encouragement and punishment laws, have a forceful army under his control.2. On humans nature and their relationshipThough humanists of Machiavellis time believed that an individual had much to offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was
16、 quick to mock human nature. Humanists believed that An individual only grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally- through participation in the life of the state. Machiavelli generally distrusted citizens, stating that .in time of adversity, when the state is in need of its citizens there a
17、re few to be found.” Machiavelli further went on to question the loyalty of the citizens and advised the Prince that .because men a wretched creatures who would not keep their word to you, you need keep your word to them. The same to Hanfeizi. Under the influence of his teacher Xunzi, Hanfeizi adher
18、ed to the principle that human nature was bad. And his developed his ideas to the enumerated kingdom which he thought was the heaven of the earth. He believed that human beings were driven by the greed for profit. We can see some trace in his famous saying: strict mother has kind children, while kin
19、d mother has brute children. Both of them believed that the relationship among human beings was a kind of naked interest_oriented relationship. They make use of each other, not believe in others, and would try every means to reach ones aims. 3.On the image of emperor. In The Prince Niccolo Machiavel
20、li presents a view of governing : state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy, which would serve his best interests. These interests were g
21、aining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. His understanding of human nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed andtaught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an effectively governed pri
22、ncipality. Though in come cases Machiavellis suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these viewswere derived out of concern Italys unstable political condition. If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests, it would be better for him to be feared bey the citiz
23、ens within his own principality. He makes the generalization that men are, .ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well they are yours. He characterizes men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest of the s
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