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Jonathan Swift’s critique of consequentialism?

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  • Renee Prendergast

Abstract

Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from being a Burthen to their Parents or Country, and for Making them Beneficial to the Publick (1729) can be regarded as a critique of consequentialism, perhaps the finest and most effective that has ever been written. Swift’s argument is not explicit, but his use of consequentialist reasoning shows how it is possible to rationally justify a course of action that is grotesque and barbaric. This interpretation of Swift’s pamphlet is supported by considering it in relation to works by Bernard Mandeville and William Petty. Both authors employed consequentialist reasoning and Swift is likely to have been familiar with their work.

Suggested Citation

  • Renee Prendergast, 2015. "Jonathan Swift’s critique of consequentialism?," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 39(1), pages 281-297.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:39:y:2015:i:1:p:281-297.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cje/beu020
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