This project focuses on the political thought of St. Augustine and Machiavelli as two eminent examples of thinkers who have developed their political philosophy by reflecting on the history of Rome.
The director of the Institute of Philosophy, Manfred Svensson, is leading a research project entitled, "Conflict, religion and virtue. Political philosophy and Roman history in Augustine of Hippo and Machiavelli."This project focuses on the political thought of St. Augustine and Machiavelli as two eminent examples of thinkers who have developed their political philosophy by reflecting on the history of Rome.
The research starts from the simple fact that Augustine and Machiavelli analyze the same historical events and passages from Roman chroniclers, but reach opposite conclusions on fundamental issues such as the nature of virtue and necessity.
"Augustine is a thinker to whom I already devoted myself in my doctoral thesis, about twenty years ago, and I am sure that the contrast with Machiavelli will give his thought a sharper profile," says Svensson.