Allegories and metaphors in early political thought : from Plato to Machiavelli

Allegories and Metaphors in Early Political Thought: From Plato to Machiavelli examines allegories and metaphors that best exemplify the ideologies of Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Niccolo Machiavelli. Author Kevin Dooley’s approach allows readers to gain a greater understanding of each thinker’s ideas through the lens of metaphor, which stimulates imaginative discussions and more thoughtful reflections. Cover Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Introduction The Structure of the Chapters: The Biographical Sketches The Allegories and Metaphors Notes Chapter 2: Plato (427–347 BC): Gyges’ Ring, the Divided Line, and the Allegory of the Cave Introduction Plato and Greece in the 5th Century BC The Allegories Gyges’ Ring The Divided Line The Allegory of the Cave Conclusion Notes Chapter 3: Aristotle (384–322 BC): Acorns and Oak Trees, the Feast Introduction Biography Learning From Acorns: Human Nature and the Good Life The Acorn and the Oak Tree: Happiness and Human Flourishing Preparing for the Feast The Deviant Feasts: The Tyranny/Oligarchy and the Democracy The Good Feasts: Kingship/Aristocracy and the Mixtures Conclusion Notes Chapter 4: St. Augustine (354–430): City of God, City of Man Introduction Biography The Grand Allegory The Two Cities Pride: Perversions of Truth and Justice Pride and Power: How the Roman Might Inform the Christian Just War Theory Conclusion Notes Chapter 5: St. Thomas Aquinas (1225– 1274): The Pilot and the Shepherd Introduction Biography The Pilot and the Shepherd Eternal and Divine Law: God’s Plan and Unknown and Known to Us Natural Law: Our Innate Sense of Right and Wrong Human Law: A Dictate of Practical Reason Separating the Pilot From the Shepherd: Leadership Through Service Preventing Tyranny: Checking the Power of the Monarch Conclusion Notes Chapter 6: Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527): The Lion and the Fox, the River Introduction Biography The Lion and the Fox The River Conclusion Notes Index "This book examines allegories and metaphors that best exemplify each thinker's ideologies. The author's approach allows readers to gain a greater understanding of each thinker's ideas through the lens of metaphor and this stimulates imaginative discussions and more thoughtful reflections"-- Provided by publisher