A Machiavelli by Althusser: on the foundation of contemporary political philosophy

Authors

  • Douglas Ferreira Barros Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUCCampinas)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2447-9012.espinosa.2011.89428

Keywords:

Althusser, Machiavelli, Virtù, Fortuna, Foundation

Abstract

This paper will develop Althusser’s interpretation of Machiavelli’s work in what concerns the limits of human action. Taking the analysis of the new prince and the long references to the opposition between the notions of Virtù and Fortuna, which appear mainly in the political and historical works, we intend to show why Althusser’s reading of Machiavelli lead us to a contemporary discussion of political philosophy about the foundations of power and philosophy itself. The question that we set for this reading of Althusser is: is there any sense in thinking one grounding principle of action that could define what men are and from this draw certain guiding rules of human action?

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Author Biography

  • Douglas Ferreira Barros, Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUCCampinas)
    Professor de Filosofia na Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUCCampinas)

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Published

2011-12-15

Issue

No. 25 (2011): Número Especial

Section

Artigos

License

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How to Cite

Barros, D. F. (2011). A Machiavelli by Althusser: on the foundation of contemporary political philosophy. Cadernos Espinosanos, 25, 47-67. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2447-9012.espinosa.2011.89428