Modern Philosophy - Machiavelli, Rousseau, Nietzsche (pick one)

  1. In his discussion Agathocles in The Prince, Machiavelli remarks, parenthetically, that it is "permissible to speak well of evil" (37). Why does he believe that it is 'permissible to speak well of evil"? Do you think his reasons are good, or not?
  2. In The Social Contract, Rousseau writes that "[e]very legitimate government is republican" (162), even if, as he explains later on, that government is monarchical, aristocratic, or democratic. Why does he believe this? Do you agree or disagree with him?
  3. In the On the Genealogy of Morality, Nietzsche states that "[Tie beginning of the slaves' revolt in morality occurs when ressentiment itself turns creative and gives birth to values" (20). What does it mean that "the slaves' revolt in morality occurs when ressentiment itself turns creative"? Do you agree with Nietzsche account, or not?