How does sustainability thinking (concepts, principles, approaches, values) help us to explain the causes and impacts of the COVID19 global pandemic and to understand societal responses to the pandemic? How might sustainability thinking help prevent future
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
Sustainability Thinking and the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and interdependencies within our global society. By applying sustainability thinking, which encompasses concepts, principles, approaches, and values, we can gain insights into the causes and impacts of the pandemic, as well as understand societal responses. Furthermore, sustainability thinking can help prevent future pandemics by addressing systemic issues and promoting resilient and equitable systems.
Principles of Sustainable Design
The Principles of Sustainable Design highlight the importance of eco-friendly technologies and holistic life cycle assessments. Applying these principles to the pandemic, we recognize the ecological footprint of healthcare systems. The production, distribution, and disposal of medical supplies contribute to environmental degradation. By adopting a sustainability-focused approach, we can reimagine healthcare infrastructure with eco-friendly technologies, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices in the medical industry.
Principles for Sustainable Governance
Sustainable Governance principles emphasize environmental considerations in policy-making. These principles become paramount in evaluating government responses to the pandemic. Transparent decision-making, science-based policies, and cross-border collaboration are elements of sustainable governance that prove crucial in navigating the complex landscape of a global health crisis. The effectiveness of such governance structures determines the resilience of societies against unforeseen challenges.
Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles guide the examination of corporate responses to the pandemic. Beyond profit motives, corporations are expected to play a pivotal role in societal well-being. Sustainability in business practices, ethical supply chain management, and responsible resource allocation contribute to both pandemic response and long-term sustainability. By aligning business interests with societal needs, companies can contribute to a more resilient and equitable future.
Solidarity Economy Principles
Solidarity Economy Principles, with their focus on cooperation and participatory democracy, offer an alternative perspective on societal responses to the pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the importance of community solidarity and grassroots efforts. Local initiatives, mutual aid networks, and community-driven healthcare responses showcase the resilience that emerges when societies prioritize solidarity and mutualism. By fostering inclusive and participatory approaches, we can build more resilient communities.
Principles of Food Security & Food Sovereignty
Principles of food security and sovereignty become crucial in understanding and addressing the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. Vulnerabilities in global food supply chains surfaced, urging a shift towards localized and sustainable food systems. Examining these principles reveals the importance of policies ensuring access to nutritious food, empowering local communities in food production, and fostering food sovereignty. By promoting sustainable agriculture and equitable food systems, we can enhance societal resilience.
Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities
The Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities underscore the significance of sustainable urban planning in crisis resilience. The pandemic has accentuated the importance of urban design in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases. Sustainable cities, with green spaces, resilient infrastructure, and community-centric planning, become integral to pandemic response and recovery. By prioritizing sustainable urban development, we can create healthier and more resilient cities.
Sustainable Building Principles
Applying Sustainable Building Principles to the pandemic involves recognizing the impact of building design on public health. Eco-friendly architecture, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable construction practices contribute not only to environmental health but also to societal resilience in the face of health crises. By prioritizing sustainable building design and retrofitting existing structures, we can create healthier indoor environments and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
In conclusion, sustainability thinking provides a framework for understanding the causes and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzing societal responses. By applying various sustainability principles to different aspects of the pandemic, from healthcare systems to corporate responses to urban planning, we can identify opportunities for improvement and prevention. Sustainability thinking allows us to address systemic issues, build resilience, and create a more equitable and sustainable future that can prevent future pandemics.
