Write an essay about Triune Brain System
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Triune Brain System: An Evolutionary Perspective on the Human Mind
Introduction: The human brain is a complex and fascinating organ that governs our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. One theory that attempts to explain the structure and function of the brain is the Triune Brain System, proposed by neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean. This theory suggests that the human brain comprises three distinct components, each representing different stages of evolution. In this essay, we will explore the Triune Brain System, its components, and how it provides us with a framework for understanding the evolutionary development of the human mind.
I. The Reptilian Brain (R-Complex): The first component of the Triune Brain System is the Reptilian Brain, also known as the R-Complex. This primitive region of the brain, shared by reptiles and mammals, is responsible for basic survival functions and instincts. It controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation. Additionally, it governs innate behaviors such as aggression, territoriality, and reproduction. The Reptilian Brain operates on instinctual responses and plays a crucial role in maintaining our physiological well-being.
II. The Limbic System (Paleomammalian Brain): The second component of the Triune Brain System is the Limbic System, also known as the Paleomammalian Brain. This region emerged with the evolution of early mammals and is responsible for regulating emotions, memory, and social behavior. It includes structures such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. The Limbic System plays a vital role in forming emotional connections, processing memories, and influencing decision-making. It contributes to our ability to experience pleasure, fear, and empathy, creating a rich emotional landscape that shapes our interactions with others and our environment.
III. The Neocortex (Neomammalian Brain): The third and most prominent component of the Triune Brain System is the Neocortex, also known as the Neomammalian Brain. It is the most recently evolved part of the brain and is unique to mammals, particularly humans. The Neocortex is responsible for higher-order cognitive functions, including reasoning, language, problem-solving, and conscious thought. It allows us to plan for the future, engage in abstract thinking, and adapt to complex social structures. The Neocortex has greatly expanded in humans compared to other species, giving us unparalleled intellectual abilities.
IV. Integration and Interplay: While the Triune Brain System conceptualizes the brain as three distinct components, it’s important to note that these regions are interconnected and constantly interact with each other. The Reptilian Brain provides the foundation for survival instincts, which are then modulated by emotions and social cues processed in the Limbic System. These instincts and emotions are further refined and regulated by the Neocortex’s higher cognitive functions. This interplay between the three components allows for a holistic understanding of how our brain functions and influences our behavior.
Conclusion: The Triune Brain System offers a compelling framework for understanding the evolutionary development of the human mind. By recognizing the distinct components of the Reptilian Brain, Limbic System, and Neocortex, we gain insights into how our brain has evolved over millions of years to support survival instincts, emotional processing, and higher cognitive functions. This theory enables us to appreciate the intricate interplay between these brain regions and provides a foundation for further exploration into the complexities of human behavior and consciousness.
