Mansi, Week 12: The faculty of fear
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot have both.”
– Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince.
Evidently, Machiavelli lived in an entirely different world than we do today. Having experienced an era of incapable, power-hungry rulers and instability in Italian leadership, his pessimistic ways of thinking are ultimately a product of his environment. Yet, many of his words transcend time and space, becoming guiding maxims to consider today. Is it better to be feared than loved? Is it better to fear than to love?
The answer lies in the perspective through which we approach fear. More often than not, we detest fear, understanding it to be an obstacle in our ambitions. Yet, its seemingly negative characteristics can warrant positive outcomes. Fear is a powerful motivator, driving forth action and initiative. Take it from our own lives—the fear of failure, the fear of being looked down upon, the fear of lagging behind often drives us to complete the work that we might not touch otherwise. Fear is a source of discipline. It overcomes the temptation to fall into bad habits that is otherwise the core of human nature. It warrants obedience to those in power. Fear protects us, allowing us to pinpoint danger and avert it. Fear allows us to recognize the importance of what we have, as we fear losing it.
The question now resurfaces—is it truly better for a leader to be feared, or to be loved? As Machiavelli expressed, the dynamic balance of both constitutes the most effective leader’s character. However, in the absence of one, it stands that fear is the quality to seek, as fearful subjects embody a prosperous nation.
Hi Mansi! I thought your blog this week was really interesting and thought-provoking. I agree with you that fear can be a powerful motivator. While I do think fear has the potential to be the very thing that pushes people toward better results, it takes a certain strength in a person to allow their fear to become a strength, and that is a quality that not many have. Often times, many people let that fear control them and prevent them from achieving their goals. there have been times, in my own life and the lives of those around me, where fear turns into a lack of motivation and energy. In my opinion, a part of the equation is also to be conscious of your fear and the fact that it is a liability and to consciously allow it to motivate you to move forward. Thank you for your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Mansi! I remember first learning about Niccolò Machiavelli in AP European History last year and wonder whether his philosophy was just. Many leaders do use fear to enforce law and sometimes it is necessary so that order is maintained. However, a leader that relies excessively on fear becomes a dictator. There is a careful balance between these two ideas that must be maintained in order to keep order and satisfy the members of a society. Most people are quick to dismiss the importance of fear in a society so I like how you concede that Machiavellian principles have been the foundations to many “prosperous nation[s].” Even in the United States, there is fear of breaking laws, of going to jail, etc. Fear often has a negative connotation but fear is what keeps us in check. Without it, society would easily unravel.
ReplyDeleteI like how you started your blog off strong with a controversial quote from Niccolò Machiavelli. The picture you included to the left also sparked my interest and urged me to continue reading. At the end of your introduction, you include two rhetorical questions which is an extremely effective tactic to keep the audience engaged. In the next paragraph, you delve into the specifics and complication of the topic. The clear structure and concise writing you used made reading your blog a great experience. Overall, I loved the complexity of your blog and how you explored both the positive and negative aspects of fear!
Hi Mansi! I really enjoyed reading your blog this week, and especially found it interesting how you opened with the example of Niccolò Machiavelli to elaborate on just how powerful fear can be. Your relation of this to our day to day lives, including the fear of failing or falling behind is something I can definitely relate to, and I truly believe this is a driving factor in mine and many others' lives as motivation to push through a stressful week and complete the tasks we have at hand. Although at times fear can certainly be viewed from a negative perspective, I believe that the instillment of fear in modern society is something that has the ability to drive us forward; it is the balance of love and fear towards a leader that can create a successful society. Overall, your blog was quite insightful and I look forward to reading your take on other blogs too!
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