From your own experience or from searching the internet, find something analogous to the digital aquarium and discuss it considering (about 2 pages):
challenges to ethical practice
management of requests for fad treatments
suggestions for navigating the minefield of practice dilemmas
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
The Digital Aquarium: Ethical Challenges and Practice Dilemmas
Introduction
In today’s rapidly advancing digital age, the concept of the digital aquarium has emerged as a popular trend. A digital aquarium refers to a virtual environment where individuals can create and maintain an artificial aquatic ecosystem. While it may seem harmless at first, the concept of the digital aquarium poses several ethical challenges and practice dilemmas that need to be addressed. This essay will explore the ethical challenges faced by digital aquarium enthusiasts, the management of requests for fad treatments, and provide suggestions for navigating the minefield of practice dilemmas.
Ethical Challenges in Digital Aquariums
The digital aquarium, although seemingly innocuous, raises several ethical concerns. One of the primary challenges is the welfare of the virtual aquatic creatures. As these creatures solely exist within a digital realm, their well-being relies entirely on the actions and decisions of the individual managing the digital aquarium. Neglecting proper care or engaging in unethical practices can result in unnecessary suffering or even death for these virtual creatures.
Furthermore, there is a growing concern about the impact of digital aquariums on real-world ecosystems. The popularity of digital aquariums has led to a decline in demand for live aquatic creatures, which can have detrimental effects on biodiversity and conservation efforts. It is crucial to consider the potential ecological consequences of promoting and participating in digital aquariums.
Management of Requests for Fad Treatments
In the world of digital aquariums, enthusiasts may encounter various requests for fad treatments. These requests often stem from misguided beliefs or misinformation regarding the well-being of virtual aquatic creatures. It is essential for individuals managing digital aquariums to approach these requests with caution and ethical consideration.
One common fad treatment is the use of virtual supplements or medications to enhance the virtual creatures’ health or appearance. While these treatments may seem harmless within the digital realm, they can perpetuate unrealistic expectations and undermine responsible pet ownership in the real world. Digital aquarium enthusiasts must resist succumbing to such fads and instead promote responsible care and empathy towards all living beings.
Navigating the Minefield of Practice Dilemmas
To navigate the ethical minefield posed by digital aquariums, there are several suggestions that can help individuals make informed decisions and uphold ethical practices:
Education and Awareness: Digital aquarium enthusiasts should educate themselves about responsible practices and ethical considerations. Understanding the potential impact of their actions will enable them to make informed choices that prioritize animal welfare and environmental conservation.
Promote Real-World Conservation: Encourage a shift in focus from virtual environments to real-world conservation efforts. Digital aquarium enthusiasts can use their passion for aquatic life to support organizations working towards preserving natural habitats and protecting endangered species.
Set Ethical Standards: Advocate for industry-wide ethical standards for digital aquarium platforms. By establishing guidelines for responsible care and discouraging harmful practices, these platforms can ensure a positive and educational experience for users while minimizing harm to both virtual and real aquatic creatures.
Public Outreach and Education: Engage in public outreach initiatives to raise awareness about the potential ethical challenges associated with digital aquariums. By educating others about responsible practices and encouraging critical thinking, enthusiasts can help foster a more ethical community of digital aquarium enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The rise of digital aquariums has brought forth several ethical challenges and practice dilemmas. From ensuring the welfare of virtual aquatic creatures to managing requests for fad treatments, it is crucial for enthusiasts to navigate this minefield with ethical considerations in mind. By promoting education, awareness, and responsible practices, individuals can make a positive impact both within the digital realm and in real-world conservation efforts. Only through collective efforts can we ensure that our interactions with digital environments align with our ethical values and contribute to a sustainable future for all living beings.
