Historical Analysis of Human Affairs (Coursework Sample)

Historical Analysis of Human Analysis
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Institution
Historical Analysis of Human Affairs
Role of fortune in determining Human Affairs as depicted by Alberti and Machiavelli
Fortune plays an important role in determining human affairs as discussed by both Alberti and Machiavelli. This is because human affair relies on the philosophical concept of environmental determinism and naturalism. However, Alberti is much against the idea of fortune but rather he is supportive to the role of reason in human life. According to him, human life affairs are not determined by fortune but the way individual’s reason. Alberti says "…I often marveled to myself and was saddened over how much power fortune’s unfairness and malignity wielded over men; and how fortune was permitted with her will and temerity to seize families well provided with the most virtuous of men, abounding in everything precious, expensive, and most desired by men, and endowed with many honors, fame, great praise, authority, and public favor…" (pp166). In relation to this statement, Alberti is of the idea that if fortune played a significant role in shaping human affairs, then the descendants of prominent people in the society will not languish in abject poverty, loneliness, and misery. This is, usually, the case for most descendants of prominent families who do not use their wits. Alberti believes that reason is critical in determining human life affairs. Through reason, an individual will be able to shape his or her destiny in life and not through fortune. Reason enables human beings to have the ability to maintain the status of their family in the highest ranks of honor and happiness rather than fortune, "…maintains family in the highest ranks of honor and happiness….attribute acquisition of praise greatness…" (pp167).
In relation to the acquisition of power and new principalities, Machiavelli highlights that fortune does not play a role in acquiring this status. According to him, good principles and just laws, faith, and diligence among other attributes are pertinent in the earning and acquisition of power and new principalities rather than fortune (pp167). Concerning this excerpt, Machiavelli views fortune in a negative way. According to him, fortune does not contribute to any achievements in the society but it all depends on the interplay of other factors in the society. For example, "Just laws and virtuous principles, prudent counsel, and strong and constant actions, love of country…even without fortunes favor…commend themselves to posterity (pp167).
Pico and Alberti Humanist Philosophies
The value of an individual leading a morally directed life for the benefit of oneself and one’s community is a key aspect of Pico and Alberti’s humanist philosophy. Humanist philosophy relies on the ability to choose whether to be like beast or the divines (Layton 2012, p33). When an individual chooses to lead a good life, it benefits the individual and the entire community. This aspect is based on the doctrines enshrined in the humanist philosophy. According to them, individuals can shape the type of life to lead. For example, "in man alone, at the moment of his creation, the father placed the seeds of all kinds and germs of every way of life. Whatever seeds each man cultivates will mature and bear their own fruit in him.’’ (pp 182).
In relation to Pico’s notion that human beings are eventually in control of their own destiny, this is the correct notion of human perception. According to the creation stories as highlighted in these readings, when God finished creating man, he ordained him with the power and freedom of making choices. Whether the choices are good or bad depends on individuals themselves. For example, "…we have made you neither celestial nor terrestrial, neither mortal nor immortal, so that with honor and freedom of choice, as though the maker and molder of yourself, you may fashion yourself in whatever form you prefer" (pp 181). These words gave man the freedom of choice and power to decide on the type of life to lead or the destiny to shape. Similarly, human beings have the ultimate control over the kind of life to lead. This is highlighted in the words that were directed to Adam as explained by Lucilius. "O supreme generosity of God the Father! O highest and most admirable felicity of man to whom it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills! From the moment of birth..." (pp181). All these statements reinforce Pico’s notion that human beings are ultimately in control of their destinies. Therefore, it is the mandate of human beings to decide on whatever consequences they like in life.
The foundation of modern liberal art curriculum in universities is reliant on Pico’s use of multi-culturally and religiously diverse sources of ideas. This is because modern liberal art curriculum revolves around multidisciplinary subjects. Therefore, a thorough understanding of different discourse as highlighted by Pico in his multi-culturally and religious diverse sources of information forms the basis on which other disciplines are formed. For example, modern liberal arts in most universities revolve around our culture and the way we present our views to others. With regard to the arguments presented by Pico, they form the basis of discussion, which is entailed in what modern liberal art curriculum is focusing on at universities. Therefore, the views presented by Pico forms the basis of discussion for other liberal arts. This makes universities to consider it as a foundation of modern liberal art curriculum.
Approach of Machiavelli to Politics
The concept by which Machiavelli takes to approach...