The State between metaphors. Machiavelli and the link between the medical field and the political field

In the present article, we deal with the medical metaphor in two works by Machiavelli, such as The Prince and Discourses on the first decade of Tito Livio. First, we will analyze the medi-cal metaphor in relation to the notion of lo stato. Second, we will plant the notion of conflict as a disease. Third, we will deal with the image of the ruler as a doctor. Next, we will address the diagnostic procedure that the ruler will carry out, in order to determine what is afflicting the political body, and in turn to be able to specify what measures are necessary to adopt to restore its health. That is, the medication to be provided.Finally, we will point out how the mood balance is achieved within the State, that is to say, how health is main-tained.

本文旨在探讨马基雅维利两部著作中的医学隐喻，包括《君主论》与《论李维罗马史前十卷》。首先，我们将结合国家（lo stato）这一概念，分析其中的医学隐喻；其次，我们将阐发将冲突视作疾病的相关认知；其三，我们将探讨统治者作为医者的形象建构；继而，我们将论述统治者所施行的诊断流程，其目的在于明确何种病症正侵扰政治体，并进而确定恢复其健康所需采取的具体举措，亦即所需施用的疗愈方案；最后，我们将阐明国家内部民心均衡的实现路径，换言之，政治体的健康如何得以维系。