2007-01-18 12:16:14 · 4 answers · asked by moby710 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Niccolo Machiavelli theorised that for control of population, the leaders needed two things - force, and prudence. Specifically prudence as in being able to judge what is really behind what people are saying. In this sense, to be Machiavellian, or to have Machiavellian intelligence, is to be always questioning people's motives. The are tests on the internet for Machiavellian Intelligence, but you should be able to work out whther you are a 'high Mach' or a 'low Mach'. If you think that most people can be trusted, then you are a low mach. If you think that people are mainly deceptive, then you are a high mach.
2007-01-18 21:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by perthboy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Approaching things from a cynical, manipulative point of view where "the end justifies the means." (Taking all thoughts of the morality or rightness of a strategy out of the equation.)
2007-01-18 12:19:42 · answer #2 · answered by Underground Man 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It refers to a man who became famous for his political views during a tumultuous time. He said once (and probably a thousand times) that it was better to gain your peoples' obedience by making them fear you rather than like you. The guy had few morals.
2007-01-18 12:28:43 · answer #3 · answered by LokiBuff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ruthless. Think of Hitler, Stalin, and W
2007-01-18 12:59:07 · answer #4 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋