|
The Interaction of Ethics and Politics in the Political Thought of Machiavelli and Kant
|
Behrooz Boveiry Kenari1   , Mohammad Taheri Khonakdari2 , Masoud Motalebi3 , Hojatollah Darvishpoor3 |
1- Ph.D. student, Department of Political Science, Political Thoughts, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. , taherimohammad.dr@gmail.com
3- Department of Political Science, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran |
|
|
Abstract: (9 Views) |
Background: Studying the relationship between ethics and politics and creating a type of interaction between ethical theory and political theory is one of the important scientific issues in the field of political philosophy. Niccolo Machiavelli and Immanuel Kant are among the philosophers and political men who, in the Western intellectual tradition (Italy and Germany), have examined and modified the relationship between ethics and politics in their philosophical and political studies. Regardless of the essential and specific differences between the two intellectual traditions, this article, considering the general commonalities based on common socio-political issues, aims to dissect the moral and political views of each of the two Western thinkers, through the analysis of moral and political foundations, show why and how the political strategy of these two thinkers, despite their belief in two-level morality and a single point of departure, has reached different ends in approaching the relationship between morality and politics.
Conclusion: Kant, as a moral philosopher, should base politics on the principles of morality and human rights and serve global justice, and his moral theory is more substantial compared to his political theory and in line with teleology and the cosmopolitan ideal of man. However, Machiavelli, as a practical politician, sees politics as a tool for maintaining power and security that requires flexibility and sometimes ignoring moral principles, and is presented in the direction of the unity of Italy and the restoration of the glory and strength of Florence, and is more substantial compared to his moral theory |
|
| Keywords: Niccolo Machiavelli, Immanuel Kant, Ethics, Politics |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 761 kb]
(7 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/04/3 | Accepted: 2025/05/31 | Published: 2026/01/30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
