What philosophical perspective do the Houyhnbns represent in the narrative?

Prepare for the Gulliver's Travels Test. Dive into detail with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with useful hints and explanations. Ready yourself for success!

The Houyhnbns embody the philosophical perspective of rationality and logic over emotion within "Gulliver's Travels." They are portrayed as a highly advanced and rational society, where reason governs their way of life. The Houyhnbns engage in discussions that prioritize intelligence, ethics, and logic, seeing these qualities as essential to their functioning and harmonious existence. Their disdain for the emotional and often irrational behaviors exhibited by other beings, particularly the Yahoos, highlights their commitment to a logical framework in decision-making and social organization. This representation serves as a critique of human society, suggesting that over-emotional behaviors may be detrimental to civilized living. By presenting the Houyhnbns as beings that thrive on reason and rationality, Swift emphasizes the importance of these traits and calls into question human tendencies to act based on passions and impulses.

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