Post #1

By Unknown - January 21, 2018

Reading Response

"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift has stuck with me since I first read it in high school, which is why I chose it as the reading for my week. I wanted to see how others would respond to something this provoking. I've always found it impossible to read this article without ceding at least a little humanity in the interest of the greater good. Naturally, it is gross and immoral to conceive of the actions proposed in the proposal actually coming to fruition. Yet, it is that word "naturally" that strikes me so pointedly. Why is it that it is only natural to consider the act of killing babies evil? Why is there a concept of good and evil? It's heartbreaking to think anyone could consider killing and eating babies to be okay, but if it would benefit all of humanity, why do we feel that way? Even if not for the greater progression of our species, but just for ourselves, why wouldn't we be able to consider this as a genuinely viable option for the assistance of the impoverished?

Murder is something our culture seems to find fascinating. Detective shows which focus on shoplifting do not get the ratings of murder mystery shows. Murder is one of the worst crimes someone can commit in our culture, therefore it's thrilling to watch. Perhaps this is because we are all somewhat scared of being killed. And because babies are considered the most innocent and helpless of humanity, to kill a baby would be unbelievable horrible.

This train of thought could even be pushed to a discussion of abortion and whether that is moral, however that depends on when someone believes life begins, which is certainly an interesting discussion, but not one I will discuss now. The point is, there is so much that could be unpacked within Jonathan Swift's satirical article, and that it probably why I've always been able to come back to it and find something new to chew on.