MACHIAVELLI'S THE PRINCE

On August 21st we shall review a powerfully influential little book: The Prince by Machiavelli.

This book has huge global significance. Published in 1532, a great many world leaders over hundreds of years have read it and still do. For example Tony Blair was said to have it on his bedside table.

Do read the book (small but dense) and come for a fascinating discussion.

Here are a couple of documentaries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsMs-DuGy1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYFg4mnBjo

I shall post discussion questions later but for the time being:
Rather than the moral, fair and good life being the goal as described in the Harvard lectures we're studying this year, what would life be like if we decided that Machiavelli's advice was the best way to live and, held this up proudly as the goal?
While qualities of ruthlessness and deception are arguably necessary for the people in the roles Machiavelli is directing his book toward, should such qualities ever be celebrated?

Here is wikipedia page on The Prince:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince

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Come for just before 7pm to buy drinks/food from the bar.
We may be top floor or in the basement. Look at meetup comments that evening to see where / ask at the bar if lost.
Please come on time, be courteous and signup if coming. If running late, message openly in comments. Change your attendance to not coming, if not etc.
The Philharmonic is a good venue, quiet for chatting, comfy seats, civilised, food and drink.

I haven’t been before, what should I expect?

A group discussion on the next two Harvard lectures from Michael Sandel's Justice Course.

The format for the evening goes like this:
• We’ll start 7:00pm
• There’ll be a table set up, sit where you like.
• Discussions are generally in good spirit but I will ensure:

• the conversation stays on topic, unless there’s a particularly interesting tangent which therefore might briefly be indulged
• one person speaks at a time and no arguing;
• individuals focus on dialectic rather than competitive conversation;
• one person is careful not to dominate but are generous
  • The discussion will end 9:00pm
  • There’s then the opportunity to stay for a drink and socialise if anyone would like.

The Philharmonic give us the space for free in return for business. Therefore while these meetups are entirely free to you, if you can afford to (and no problem if not) please buy something from the bar.