How do the Houyhnhnms view laws in their society?

In Swift's Gulliver's Travels, the Houyhnhnms, an intelligent and rational horse-like species, have a unique perspective on laws. They view laws as a sign of moral failure in their society. This perspective is rooted in their belief that the existence of laws indicates that individuals are not capable of acting morally or justly on their own. In the Houyhnhnm society, the ideals of reason and virtue are so deeply embedded in their culture that the need for laws is considered redundant. They rely on natural reason and ethical principles to guide their actions rather than legal structures. This starkly contrasts with human societies, where laws are often seen as essential tools for maintaining order and justice, indicating a more conflicted moral landscape.

This understanding highlights the fundamental difference between the seemingly utopian society of the Houyhnhnms and the chaotic nature of human societies, where laws often arise from a necessity to control a flawed nature. Hence, their disdain for laws underscores a critique of human governance in Swift's narrative.