Niccolo Machiavelli

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Niccolo Machiavelli

• The Prince

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Premises

• That human nature has changed little, if at all,
  over time and will remain constant into the
  future. Ergo we can learn from history.
• Men are essentially evil, their ambition
  limitless, they are untrustworthy, short-sighted,
  self serving and manipulative
• Luck (Fortuna) plays a role but if you are shrewd
  and resourceful it can be mediated

3
questions

• Is Machiavellis view of human nature realistic,
  optimistic or pessimistic?
• Is his assessment of what has occurred over the
  course of history accurate?
• Is the advice that Machiavelli gives his Prince
  applicable in todays world?

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The Role of Ethics and Morality In Business
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The Amoralist View

• The business of business is business, not social
  responsibility
• Socially based decisions interfere with economic
  return and in effect are an unjust tax on the
  investor
• Any actions that constrain the free market do
  not serve us

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The Moralist View

• A moral minimum is required
• Corporations, as human creations, should reflect
  human morality
• Social responsibility within the business
  community is the glue that binds us