right or wrong in this context depends entirely on what the goal is. challenging machiavelli isn't in the process of questioning his logic, it's in questioning his altruism. and why should we prioritize this? well, why shouldn't we? and that's the point. he may be less shocking today, but he's no less repulsive.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/12/machiavelli-was-right/354672/