Define the following components of the five principles of high reliability, and provide an example of each: preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, and sensitivity to operations?
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
Components of the Five Principles of High Reliability: Definition and Examples
Introduction
High reliability organizations (HROs) are known for their exceptional ability to operate in complex and high-risk environments while maintaining a strong focus on safety and reliability. The five principles of high reliability provide a framework for achieving and sustaining high levels of performance in such organizations. In this essay, we will define and provide examples for three components of the five principles of high reliability: preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, and sensitivity to operations.
Body
Preoccupation with Failure
Preoccupation with failure refers to the mindset of continuously anticipating and actively seeking out potential failures or errors in order to prevent them from occurring or escalating. This principle emphasizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive in identifying and addressing potential risks. An example of preoccupation with failure is evident in the aviation industry.
In aviation, pilots and air traffic controllers undergo rigorous training to develop a preoccupation with failure mindset. They anticipate potential hazards, conduct thorough pre-flight checks, and continuously monitor the aircraft’s performance during flight. By maintaining a vigilant mindset and actively looking for signs of failure, they can address any issues promptly, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
Reluctance to Simplify
Reluctance to simplify involves resisting the temptation to oversimplify complex situations or problems. It emphasizes the need for organizations to embrace complexity and avoid oversimplifying issues that could have significant consequences if not properly understood. An example of reluctance to simplify can be observed in healthcare settings.
In healthcare, medical professionals are trained to avoid oversimplification when diagnosing patients. They understand that medical conditions often involve multiple factors and symptoms that require a comprehensive assessment. By resisting the urge to simplify, healthcare providers are more likely to consider all relevant information, make accurate diagnoses, and provide appropriate treatment plans that address the complexity of the patient’s condition.
Sensitivity to Operations
Sensitivity to operations emphasizes the importance of being attuned to the everyday realities and operational challenges faced by frontline workers. It involves valuing and leveraging the knowledge and expertise of those directly involved in executing tasks or processes. An example of sensitivity to operations can be seen in the nuclear power industry.
In nuclear power plants, operators are highly sensitive to operations. They are trained to pay close attention to equipment readings, monitor system performance, and promptly respond to any deviations from normal operating conditions. By being sensitive to operations, operators can detect potential issues early, take corrective actions, and prevent incidents that could have severe consequences for both the plant and surrounding communities.
Conclusion
The components of preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, and sensitivity to operations are integral to the five principles of high reliability. By adopting these principles, organizations can cultivate a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and effective risk management. Preoccupation with failure encourages proactive identification and prevention of potential failures. Reluctance to simplify ensures a comprehensive understanding of complex issues. Sensitivity to operations leverages frontline expertise for improved operational performance. Incorporating these components into organizational practices can enhance reliability, mitigate risks, and drive performance excellence.
