Abstract

BRANDA, Corina. Reflective Mirrors, Crossed Mirrors: Machiavelli and Erasmus in Comparative Perspective. Temas debates (En línea) [online]. 2020, n.39, pp.13-32. ISSN 1853-984X.

This article analyzes the political thought of two European Renaissance men, Machiavelli and Erasmus. The work of these two humanist authors reflects a time of enormous changes. While for Machiavelli, politics is autonomous with respect to religion, for Erasmus a religious meaning and a religious purpose are essential to the act of governing. In Machiavelli’s perspective, politics is a praxis guided by a pragmatic goal to conquer, sustain and increase political power in order to achieve state glory. For Erasmus, politics cannot be separated from a higher ethical purpose. In his view, politics is ultimately at the service of the spiritual realm.

Keywords : Politics; Ethics; Fortune; Folly.

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