Understanding M.B. Foster's View on Political Thought

The question asks about M.B. Foster's characterization of a specific political thinker, suggesting their thought represents a "Pagan revival" rather than a "Protestant religion." M.B. Foster, known for his work on the history of political philosophy, often analyzed thinkers by contrasting their ideas with the influence of classical Pagan thought (like that of ancient Greeks and Romans) and Christian/Protestant thought.

To understand this characterization, we need to consider what M.B. Foster meant by "Pagan revival" and "Protestant religion" in the context of political thought:

• Pagan Revival: This would typically refer to a return to or emphasis on ideas associated with pre-Christian classical philosophy. This might include a focus on the state as a primary entity, civic virtue, earthly goals, power, and a separation of politics from transcendental religious morality.
• Protestant Religion: In contrast, political thought influenced by Protestant religion might emphasize individual conscience, divine law, the relationship between the individual and God, and potentially view earthly political structures in light of divine will or eschatological concerns.

Now let's consider the options provided and how M.B. Foster's analysis might apply:

• Machiavelli: Niccolò Machiavelli is famous for separating politics from traditional Christian morality. His focus on the acquisition and maintenance of state power, the use of pragmatic rather than purely moral means by the ruler, his admiration for Roman history and virtue, and his view of human nature as inherently self-interested align strongly with a perspective that seems distinct from Christian ideals and arguably draws inspiration from pre-Christian approaches to politics. This focus on the practical, earthly state and effective rule echoes themes sometimes associated with classical, or 'Pagan', thought.
• Hobbes: Thomas Hobbes's political thought, while also focused on the state (the Leviathan) and security, is often rooted in a mechanistic view of human nature and a social contract theory. While secular, it doesn't typically represent a "Pagan revival" in the same sense as Machiavelli's explicit reference to classical history and detachment from traditional ethics.
• Bentham: Jeremy Bentham is the founder of Utilitarianism, a philosophy based on the principle of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. His focus is on rational calculation and empirical observation, not a revival of classical Pagan thought or adherence to Protestant religious doctrine in shaping his political ideas.
• J.S. Mill: John Stuart Mill, a successor to Bentham in Utilitarianism and a key figure in Liberalism, focused on liberty, individual rights, and representative government. His work is rooted in enlightenment and liberal traditions, distinct from either a "Pagan revival" or a primary reliance on Protestant religious principles for its foundation.

Based on M.B. Foster's analysis which often contrasts Greek and Christian political thought, Machiavelli is the thinker whose focus on state power, practical expediency, and separation from Christian ethics is most likely to be characterized as a "Pagan revival" when contrasted with the influence of "Protestant religion" on political thought.

Therefore, M.B. Foster stated that the political thought of Machiavelli represents more of a Pagan revival than a Protestant religion.

Revision Table: Key Thinkers and Perspectives

Additional Information on M.B. Foster's Analysis

M.B. Foster's work often delves into the historical development of political philosophy by examining the underlying metaphysical and theological assumptions of different periods and thinkers. He argued that Christian thought introduced fundamentally new concepts into Western political philosophy compared to the classical Greek perspective. When he describes a thinker as a "Pagan revival," he highlights how their ideas seem to draw more from or revert to the characteristics of pre-Christian political thinking, particularly its focus on the earthly city-state, human virtue aimed at earthly flourishing, and political action evaluated by its success in achieving state goals, rather than by transcendental moral or religious standards typical of Christian thought.

Machiavelli's emphasis on the practical necessities of maintaining power, his focus on the state as an end in itself, and his willingness to set aside conventional morality for political effectiveness are key reasons why Foster and other scholars might place him in contrast with political theories more influenced by Christian doctrine, seeing him instead as drawing on themes reminiscent of classical realpolitik and civic concerns.