A Modern Proposal 'And Descartes' The Discourse On Method

Whether if it’s similar content, the way a story is presented, or even the writing styles, nothing can compare to how closely related and similar Jonathan Swift and René Descartes are to one another. Although Swift’s “A Modern Proposal” is satire and complete nonsense, while Descartes’ “The Discourse on Method” is serious, both authors focus on methods, proposals, and step-by-step ways to come to a final verdict for their own separate topic.
Descartes and Swift do not share the same subject or content; it is completely different - one is making a proposal about finding an effective method to help with making significant discoveries and the other about making poor children beneficial to the public. Although their content is different, they
Descartes stating how, “when I was younger, I devoted a little study to logic, among philosophical matters … three arts or sciences which, it seemed, out to be able to contribute something to my design” and Swift stating, “as to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years upon this important subject…I have always found them grossly mistaken their computation”. Not only do the two writers share similar introduction styles, they also include a step-by-step process of getting to their conclusion. Descartes includes, “the first was, never to accept anything as true…the third was, to conduct my thoughts in order, by beginning with the simplest objects”. Similarly, although nonsense, Swift states, “for first, as I have already observed, it would be greatly lessen the number of papists…sixthly, this would be a great inducement to
Swift’s main focus and concern was on the economic inequality between the poor and rich. His own proposal focused and applied to “the poor children of Ireland”. Swift also continues on into stating that he has “no other motive than the public good for [his] country”. Descartes simply focuses his concerns towards the entire world. He includes his audience by repeatedly referring to “us” and “our”. He even states some concerns, such as, “Thus, because our senses sometimes deceive us, I wanted to suppose that nothing is such as they make us imagine it…”. Additionally, Descartes focuses his concerns on how he is able to prove certain truths to his audience, such as his own existence, doubt, and