Summary
The Houyhnhnms hold their version of a town hall meeting to debate whether Yahoos (humans) should be completely exterminated. One speaker argues that humans are filthy, destructive pests who steal, vandalize property, and generally make life worse for everyone. He suggests they're not even native to the land—just invasive species that multiplied out of control. Gulliver's master speaks up with a different proposal, using Gulliver himself as exhibit A. He explains that Gulliver proves humans can be somewhat civilized, and suggests castrating young humans instead of killing them all—a 'humane' way to end the species gradually while still getting some use out of them. The master keeps one crucial detail from Gulliver about how this debate affects him personally. Swift then describes Houyhnhnm society in detail: they have no written language, live simply but comfortably, create beautiful poetry, and approach death with complete emotional detachment. Most tellingly, they have no words for evil concepts except by adding 'Yahoo' to describe anything bad—essentially, their entire vocabulary for describing wrongness comes from comparing things to humans. This chapter reveals how even the most 'rational' society can calmly discuss genocide while congratulating themselves on their reasonableness.
Coming Up in Chapter 37
Gulliver discovers the personal consequences of being used as evidence in the great debate. His comfortable life among the Houyhnhnms is about to change dramatically.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
A grand debate at the general assembly of the _Houyhnhnms_, and how it was determined. The learning of the _Houyhnhnms_. Their buildings. Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of their language. One of these grand assemblies was held in my time, about three months before my departure, whither my master went as the representative of our district. In this council was resumed their old debate, and indeed the only debate that ever happened in their country; whereof my master, after his return, gave me a very particular account. The question to be debated was, “whether the _Yahoos_ should be exterminated from the face of the earth?” One of the members for the affirmative offered several arguments of great strength and weight, alleging, “that as the _Yahoos_ were the most filthy, noisome, and deformed animals which nature ever produced, so they were the most restive and indocible, mischievous and malicious; they would privately suck the teats of the _Houyhnhnms’_ cows, kill and devour their cats, trample down their oats and grass, if they were not continually watched, and commit a thousand other extravagancies.” He took notice of a general tradition, “that _Yahoos_ had not been always in their country; but that many ages ago, two of these brutes appeared together upon a mountain; whether produced by the heat of the sun upon corrupted mud and slime, or from the ooze and froth of the sea, was never known; that these _Yahoos_ engendered, and their brood, in a short time, grew so numerous as to overrun and infest the whole nation; that the _Houyhnhnms_, to get rid of this evil, made a general hunting, and at last enclosed the whole herd; and destroying the elder, every _Houyhnhnm_ kept two young ones in a kennel, and brought them to such a degree of tameness, as an animal, so savage by nature, can be capable of acquiring, using them for draught and carriage; that there seemed to be much truth in this tradition, and that those creatures could not be _yinhniamshy_ (or _aborigines_ of the land), because of the violent hatred the _Houyhnhnms_, as well as all other animals, bore them, which, although their evil disposition sufficiently deserved, could never have arrived at so high a degree if they had been _aborigines_, or else they would have long since been rooted out; that the inhabitants, taking a fancy to use the service of the _Yahoos_, had, very imprudently, neglected to cultivate the breed of asses, which are a comely animal, easily kept, more tame and orderly, without any offensive smell, strong enough for labour, although they yield to the other in agility of body, and if their braying be no agreeable sound, it is far preferable to the horrible howlings of the _Yahoos_.” Several others declared their sentiments to the same purpose, when my master proposed an expedient to the assembly, whereof he had indeed borrowed the hint from me. “He approved of the tradition mentioned by the honourable member who spoke before, and...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Rational Cruelty
Using intelligence and logical reasoning to justify harmful actions while maintaining a self-image of reasonableness and moral superiority.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when people use intelligence and logic to justify harmful actions while maintaining their self-image as reasonable.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone presents a decision that hurts people as purely logical—look for the emotional detachment and ask yourself what feelings they might be avoiding.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Extermination debate
A formal discussion about whether to completely eliminate a group considered problematic. The Houyhnhnms debate this about humans with the same calm tone they'd use to discuss pest control.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern when communities debate removing homeless encampments or when corporations discuss eliminating entire departments.
Invasive species argument
The claim that Yahoos (humans) aren't native to Houyhnhnm land but arrived from elsewhere and multiplied destructively. Used to justify harsh treatment by framing the group as foreign threats.
Modern Usage:
Politicians use this same logic when discussing immigration or when gentrification advocates argue longtime residents don't 'belong' in changing neighborhoods.
Rational cruelty
The Houyhnhnms' ability to discuss genocide while maintaining they're being logical and reasonable. They frame extreme measures as sensible solutions to practical problems.
Modern Usage:
We see this when institutions justify layoffs or benefit cuts as 'necessary business decisions' while ignoring human impact.
Castration solution
Gulliver's master's 'humane' alternative to killing all humans - sterilize the young ones so the species dies out gradually while still providing labor. Presented as merciful compromise.
Modern Usage:
This mirrors how some propose solving poverty through limiting poor people's reproduction rather than addressing systemic issues.
Linguistic othering
The Houyhnhnms have no words for evil except by adding 'Yahoo' - they literally define badness through comparison to humans. Language shapes how they see morality.
Modern Usage:
We do this when we use group names as insults or when 'welfare queen' becomes shorthand for moral failure.
Emotional detachment
Houyhnhnms approach even death with complete calm, showing no grief or attachment. Presented as rational superiority but reveals absence of empathy.
Modern Usage:
Corporate culture often rewards this 'professional' emotional distance, especially when making decisions that hurt people.
Characters in This Chapter
Gulliver's master
Conflicted advocate
Speaks up for a more 'humane' solution to the human problem, using Gulliver as proof that humans can be somewhat civilized. However, he hides crucial details about how the debate affects Gulliver personally.
Modern Equivalent:
The 'good' manager who advocates for employees in meetings but won't tell them their jobs are being eliminated
The Houyhnhnm assembly member
Systematic opponent
Presents the case for complete extermination of humans, listing their crimes like property damage, theft, and general destructiveness. Speaks with calm rationality about genocide.
Modern Equivalent:
The city council member who presents 'data-driven' arguments for clearing out homeless camps
Gulliver
Unwitting subject
Serves as the key evidence in a debate about his own species' fate, but remains unaware of crucial details his master withholds. His very existence becomes a political talking point.
Modern Equivalent:
The token employee whose presence is used to justify company policies while being kept out of decision-making
Key Quotes & Analysis
"whether the Yahoos should be exterminated from the face of the earth?"
Context: The central question being debated at the Houyhnhnm assembly
Swift shows how easily civilized beings can discuss genocide when they've dehumanized the target group. The casual tone makes the horror more striking.
In Today's Words:
Should we just get rid of these people completely?
"the most filthy, noisome, and deformed animals which nature ever produced"
Context: Describing humans as justification for extermination
Classic dehumanization language - reducing people to their worst traits to justify extreme measures. The formal tone masks the hatred.
In Today's Words:
These are the most disgusting creatures that ever existed
"they would privately suck the teats of the Houyhnhnms' cows, kill and devour their cats, trample down their oats and grass"
Context: Listing human crimes against Houyhnhnm property
Focuses entirely on property damage and inconvenience, not actual harm to persons. Shows how economic arguments often drive discrimination.
In Today's Words:
They steal our stuff, kill our pets, and mess up our property
"these Yahoos had not been always in their country"
Context: Arguing that humans are invasive species, not native inhabitants
The 'they don't belong here' argument used throughout history to justify removing unwanted groups. Origin stories become weapons.
In Today's Words:
These people aren't from here originally
Thematic Threads
Dehumanization
In This Chapter
The Houyhnhnms reduce humans to pest-like 'Yahoos' and use this label to justify discussing extermination casually
Development
Evolved from earlier mockery to systematic verbal erasure of human worth
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself or others using labels that strip away someone's humanity during conflicts
Power
In This Chapter
The Houyhnhnms hold life-and-death power over humans and exercise it through calm, reasoned discussion
Development
Builds on previous power dynamics but shows how authority can make cruelty seem reasonable
In Your Life:
You might see this when people in positions of authority make decisions about others' lives without including their voices
Identity
In This Chapter
Gulliver's identity crisis deepens as he realizes his beloved rational beings view him as a problem to be solved
Development
Continues his journey from pride in human reason to horror at being human
In Your Life:
You might experience this shock when groups you admire reveal they don't actually accept or value you
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The Houyhnhnms expect rational discourse to solve all problems, including the 'problem' of human existence
Development
Shows how social norms of reasonableness can mask underlying cruelty
In Your Life:
You might encounter situations where you're expected to discuss your own harm in calm, rational terms
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What solution does Gulliver's master propose instead of killing all humans, and why does he think it's more reasonable?
analysis • surface - 2
How do the Houyhnhnms use language to make their cruel proposals sound logical and measured?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people use data, statistics, or 'rational' arguments to justify decisions that hurt others?
application • medium - 4
When someone presents a harmful decision as 'purely logical,' what questions should you ask to uncover what they're really avoiding?
application • deep - 5
What's the difference between genuine wisdom and intelligence without compassion, and how can you tell them apart in real situations?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Rational Mask
Think of a recent decision at your workplace, school, or community that was presented as 'logical' or 'data-driven' but felt wrong to you. Write down the official reasoning given, then identify what human costs or feelings were being ignored or minimized. Practice translating cold corporate-speak back into plain human terms.
Consider:
- •Notice when complex human situations get reduced to simple metrics or numbers
- •Look for emotional detachment in how the decision-makers talk about affected people
- •Pay attention to language that makes people sound like problems to be solved rather than humans to be considered
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you used logic or rules to avoid dealing with someone's feelings or needs. What were you really trying to avoid, and how might you handle a similar situation differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 37: Paradise Lost: When Perfect Worlds Reject You
The coming pages reveal to recognize when you've outgrown your current environment, and teach us communities sometimes reject those who don't fit their mold. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.