Socrates Meets Machiavelli: The Father of Philosophy Cross-Examines the Father of Modern Political Philosophy

by Peter Kreeft

In the Socrates Meets series, Peter Kreeft revives the classic method of bringing philosophy to life through dialogue. In eight innovative volumes, he uncovers the principles, assumptions, and sometimes dangerous conclusions of some of history’s most influential minds.

Each dialogue imagines a purgatory where we can listen in on conversations between Socrates and the great thinkers who, centuries later, picked up the philosopher’s torch. Each conversation investigates one of the philosopher’s key works, a short, readable classic that raises central questions both for philosophy and for life.

In this volume, Socrates cross-examines Niccolò Machiavelli, the father of modern political philosophy and author of The Prince, exploring justice and authority, fortune and power, love and fear, and good and evil.

176 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2025

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[Daniel Arter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fictionalized account of Socrates questioning Machiavelli’s work in The Prince. It’s a clever and easy-to-read dialogue the systematically works through Machiavelli’s main contribution to political philosophy.

Worth reading for someone who is interested in philosophical dialogue, but doesn’t have a significant background in it.