Absolutism vs. Relativism Analyzed
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This 10 page research paper examines this historic philosophical argument through definition and example. Specifically discussed are the philosophical writings of the Greek Sophists, Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, St. Thomas Aquinas, Michel de Montaigne, William James and Jean-Paul Sartre. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: Absolut.wps

Locke & Machiavelli / Politics and the Interests of Man
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Machiavelli and Locke both considered the nature of government and man's individual interests as they relate to governmental structures. Machievelli's idea of fortune and Locke's 'state of nature' concept both shaped the theorists arguments about the purpose of political life. It has been posited that for Machiavelli, politics is an unpredictable arena in which ambition, deception and violence render the idea of the common good meaningless, while Locke would argue that political or civil society exists only to preserve the rights of the individual. It can be argued that for both Machiavelli and Lock, political activity, then, becomes merely a means of satisfying selfish ends. This 8 page paper considers the nature of this argument, reflects upon the elements presented in Machiavelli's Prince and Locke's Social Contract, and evaluates their importance for understanding the underpinnings of government. No additional sources cited.
Filename: Lockmach.wps

Machiavelli and Nietzche
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A 5 page paper that considers Machiavelli and Nietzche's perspectives on human nature. The premise of this paper is the comment that these two philosophers present a realistic view of human nature. This paper considers whether this comment is true, and how their perspectives had political and social impact. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Macniet.wps

Machiavelli's Discourses On The First Ten Books Of Titus Livius
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The Prince is Niccolo Machiavelli's most famous work, however, the Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livius provides an addendum to the principles set down in The Prince that illuminate and expand on his political philosophies. This 3 page paper argues that it is Machiavelli's most basic tenet that nothing renders a republic more firm and stable than to organize it in such a way that it is propelled by the energy generated from the interaction of the subjects with the mechanisms provided by the state and the social institution of religion. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: KTmacdis.wps

State Imposed Morality -- Three Views
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An 8 page research paper on the views of Freud, Machiavelli, and Aristotle on whether the state can make people moral. The writer details the ideas of virtue and the nature of man according to each of the writers, and discusses the nature of the individual versus the state. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: Freudmac.wps

The Truth of Machiavelli's The Prince
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Machiavelli's representation of truth in The Prince is rooted in a cynical view of political and personal power. He uses the tactics of confusion and misrepresentation to advance his concept of the ideal state. Machiavelli combined the traditional, or classical, and Christian thought that was prevalent in philosophical circles of his day for the purposes of presenting his concept of power. This 5 page paper examines the concept of power, truth and imagination from Machiavelli's viewpoint in The Prince. No additional sources are cited.
Filename: KTmtruth.wps

Theories of History/Marx and Comte
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A 5 page research paper that contrasts and compares the theories that Marx and Comte developed regarding history. The writer argues that these theories were radically different because each looked at a different aspect of human development across history. Marx's theories concerning history dealt with the economic connection between society and the means of production. Comte's theories, on the other hand, dealt more with the way in which a society perceives reality. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: 90mrxcmte.rtf

War is Inevitable
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A 14 page paper which addresses the inevitability of war. The first portion of the paper is examined using Thomas Hobbes' work 'Of the First and Second Natural Laws, and of Contracts.' The inherent nature of man is to protect himself at all costs. This is our way of surviving. We have not gotten this far in the evolutionary chain by giving in to the controls of others. Even those of us who do not wish to fight, will do so when directly threatened, or when our families are directly threatened. While we might like to imagine a world where there is no such thing as war, the realities of our species and of life itself, prove otherwise. The second portion of the paper discusses the inevitability of war based on Hobbes' theory of government, which is essentially just a larger group of people with the same need to protect. This section details portions of the works titled 'Of the Natural Condition of Mankind As Concerning their Felicity and Misery' and 'The Elements of Law Natural and Political.' In the third section all of the theories are essentially summed up in relationship to Hobbes' theories involving teh inevitablity of war. No additional sources cited.
Filename: RAwar3.wps

The Human Condition by Arendt
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16 pages in length. Considers the views of Locke, Smith and Marx and looks at liberalism, capitalism as well as fascism. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: JGAarndt.wps

Historical Materialism and the Hegelian Dialect
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This 5 page paper compares and contrasts Marx and Hegel's theories. The primary focus is on Marx's historical materialism and Hegel's dialect on absolute idealism. Their views on Christianity are also noted. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: SA20Marx.wps