Un dio tiranno. Strauss, Machiavelli e la critica della Bibbia

This paper analyzes the Straussian reading of Machiavelli's critique of Biblical religion. The first paragraph examines the major difficulty which Machiavelli faced, that is, the necessity of overthrowing the authority of Christian moral education in order to recover ancient political virtue. The following paragraphs tackle Machiavelli's definition of the essence of Christianity, and Machiavelli's alleged blasphemy, according to which the Biblical God would be a tyrant. The closing paragraph discusses the main objection which Machiavelli's critique must consider, and the philosophical strength of his rebellion against the commandment of humility and charity.