Posted by Anthony Walters on April 11, 19100 at 00:01:34:
In Reply to: Re: Did Nicolo Machiavelli really fake his own death? posted by Kim S. on April 02, 19100 at 20:29:30:
: Machiavelli died on June 21, 1527, surrounded by friends and family.
: But what does the death of Machiavelli have to do with the death of Tupac Shakur? Being neither American nor a devotee of gangsta rap, perhaps I can be forgiven for failing to understand the appeal of Tupac Shakur. Let me say this, though; Tupac speaks to the disaffected mes, those who feel marginalized by what they see to be an oppressive (white, capitalist) society. So, it is quite possible that Tupac did indeed have some valid points to make.
: But what does Tupac have to do with Machiavelli? Can somebody that question? Then again, do not bother wasting your time; the Nicolo Machiavelli lecture hall should be for those who are genuinely interested in discussing the thought, teaching, and legacy of Machiavelli. Why waste time posting a question such as "did Nicolo Machiavelli really fake his own death?" when such a question could be easily answered by glancing at a biography; i.e., Roberto Ridolfi's or Sebastian de Grazia's. And consider this: if, as is the case, the scholarly literature has failed to ask the question "did Machiavelli fake his own death?", then that is for the very good reason, I would suggest, that the question is a stupid, meaningless irrelevancy, that there is nothing to be gained in asking such a question.
: Instead, what IS of interest about Machiavelli's death is whether he died as a believing, practising Christian. That is, if Machiavelli was a practising Christian (not merely a 'cultural' Christian), who upon his deathbed received last rites and genuinely repented his sins -- as some would suggest is the case, I am sure De Grazia has something to say on the matter -- then what does this do for the traditional, old-fashioned view of Machiavelli according to which Machiavelli was (and is) a "teacher of evil", "immoral", and "irreligious"?
Look hear Kim,
You might know somethin' about Niccolo Machiaveli, but half of the people that visited this site wouldn't have unless Tupac Shakur generated the interest. If you fail to understand the appeal of the life and works of this legendary artist, then you're obviously out of touch with this generation. Hiphop is universal. It can be heard in virtually every developed country on earth in its native vernacular, and Tupac is widely accepted as the best rapper ever. The relevance of the artform is indisputable. Furthermore, The University of Calfornia at Berkley offers a course entitled the Life and Works of Tupac Shakur. Scholar's around the country and the world recognize Tupac's genius. Just be thankful that he honored Niccolo by taking Makaveli as his stage name and creating some buzz about the philosopher that you seem to be so interested in.
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