When you were a kid, why did your wetners take you to England for a few years? Why did your parents let her do that, or was it against their will? My early childhood indeed involved a peculiar episode. This unconventional start to my life might be seen as an early indication of the unconventional path my life would take. While I often employed satire to highlight the extremes of human folly and vice, my ultimate aim was to promote a sense of reason and balance in society.
In this conversation, Tyler uses ChatGPT to interview Jonathan Swift about his views on religion, politics, economics, and literature. GPT Swift discusses his support for the Church of Ireland, his shift from the Whigs to the Tories, and his opposition to William Wood's copper coinage in Ireland. He also talks about his works, including Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal, and his skepticism of moral and intellectual progress. Swift addresses rumors about his relationship with Esther Johnson and his fascination with scatological themes in his works. He also discusses his early life in England, his intellectual mentor Sir William Temple, and his jovial attitude towards death.
Special thanks to our Mercatus Center colleague Robin Currie for giving voice to Jonathan GPT Swift.
Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.
Recorded March 23rd, 2023
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