Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction | Quentin Skinner | Talks at Google

Quentin Skinner delivers a lecture on Machiavelli's "The Prince," exploring the historical context of Machiavelli's life and the core tenets of his political philosophy. Skinner discusses Machiavelli's views on fortune, virtue, justice, and the necessity for rulers to sometimes act immorally to maintain power, contrasting Machiavelli's ideas with classical and Christian moral perspectives. Following the lecture, Skinner engages in a Q&A session, addressing questions about Machiavelli's lasting relevance, his views on trust and corruption, and the personal experiences that shaped his bold and often shocking approach to political thought.