Part of the relevance of Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is that it shows us that almost any ridiculous idea can be argued for with what seems to be "logic."
Swift's solution to the problem of poverty in Ireland is to sell Irish children as meat to be roasted, and their skins to sold to be made into leather. Of course this is absurd and Swift did not mean it seriously. Yet, his essay is a model of logical construction and argument.
One aspect of his "logic" is his use of statistics. Swift cites, among others, the following statistics:
a) the cost of raising a baby until the age of one year;
b) the total population of Ireland, and the percentage of whom are of child-bearing age;
c) the number of families who can support their children;
d) the average number of miscarriages;
e) the price that a young child could fetch if sold as a slave.
One could say that Swift's argument is "well-supported by statistics"; except, of course, that the argument is patently absurd.
Swift also uses the "logical" technique of discussing alternative solutions to the problem and showing how they are impractical.
He also makes a list of over six advantages that his proposal has.
Swift closes his essay with a bit of humble open-mindedness:
I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion as to reject any offer proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual.
The next time you hear a politician or radio host recommend a new policy, think about Swift's "Modest Proposal" and ask yourself: Is the policy truly sensible? Or, has the person proposing it merely clothed it with some statistics and pseudo-logic?
No comments:
Post a Comment