Religion Analysis in texts of Machiavelli and Hobbes Essay

Religion Analysis in texts of Machiavelli and Hobbes - Essay Example This impetus towards change seems to draw both writers away from being champions of conventional religious concepts. However, whereas Hobbes still recognizes conventional moral concepts like the golden rule, Machiavelli advises the prince to get ahead, by all means necessary. Generally, Machiavelli observes that people are caught up in superficial concerns as a matter of ensuring the success of princely subterfuge, and also as a matter of demonstrating the importance of the perception of correction, whatever the actual state of affairs may be. The true prince may have committed any number of crimes and sins against religion, but as long as the people see them as benevolent and just in terms of reputation and public image, the subterfuge can continue. Machiavelli does not offer a warning against subterfuge. He does not call upon people to open up their eyes and look deeper into the inner, spiritual nature of things. As a political writer, he is unconcerned with this aspect of life and is more concerned that the true prince whom he is advising learns to be an effective leader in a way that ensures the success of his rule, at whatever cost and by all means necessary. â€Å"You must know there are two ways of contesting,† he writes to the prince, â₠¬Å"the one by the law, the other by force; the first method is proper to men, the second to beasts; but because the first is frequently not sufficient, it is necessary to have recourse to the second.† (Machiavelli, p. 114). Obviously, aligning with the beast is not the most sound principle for a friend of religion to espouse. Machiavelli does address religion, but only in so far as he shows that people tend to be taken in by religious appearances, and are thus easily fooled, and portrays this state of affairs as being one that can be taken advantage of by the effective ruler.