Should a college education be free in America?
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 Case for Free College Education in America
Introduction:
In recent years, the question of whether a college education should be free in America has sparked considerable debate and discussion. While higher education has long been considered a pathway to success, the rising costs of tuition and student debt have created barriers for many individuals seeking to pursue a college degree. This essay explores the benefits and implications of free college education in America, arguing that it is not only a worthwhile investment but also a means to address social and economic inequalities.
Thesis Statement:
Providing free college education in America can have far-reaching benefits, including increased accessibility to higher education, reduced financial burden on students and families, improved social mobility, and a more educated and competitive workforce.
Increased Accessibility to Higher Education:
One of the primary arguments in favor of free college education is its potential to increase accessibility. By removing financial barriers, more individuals from low-income backgrounds would have the opportunity to pursue higher education. This would ensure that access to education is not limited by one’s socioeconomic status, but rather based on merit and personal aspirations. Offering free college education would democratize the educational system and provide equal opportunities for all.
Reduced Financial Burden on Students and Families:
The exorbitant costs of tuition, fees, textbooks, and living expenses place an immense financial burden on students and their families. Many individuals are forced to take on substantial student loans, leading to long-term debt and financial insecurity. Making college education free would alleviate this burden and allow students to focus on their studies rather than worrying about financial constraints. It would also reduce the need for extensive student loans, ensuring that graduates can start their careers without being saddled with crippling debt.
Improved Social Mobility:
Education has long been recognized as a catalyst for social mobility, enabling individuals to improve their socioeconomic status and break the cycle of poverty. By providing free college education, we can level the playing field and offer equal opportunities for upward mobility to all students, regardless of their background. This would foster a more equitable society by empowering individuals to pursue their dreams and contribute positively to the economy and their communities.
A More Educated and Competitive Workforce:
In an increasingly globalized and competitive world, a well-educated workforce is crucial for economic growth and innovation. By making college education free, more individuals would be able to obtain higher degrees, leading to a more educated workforce. This, in turn, would enhance America’s competitiveness globally and ensure that the nation remains at the forefront of innovation and technological advancements.
Conclusion:
Providing free college education in America is not only a worthwhile investment but also a means to address social and economic inequalities. By increasing accessibility to higher education, reducing the financial burden on students and families, promoting social mobility, and fostering a more educated workforce, free college education has the potential to transform lives and benefit society as a whole. As we strive for a more equitable and prosperous future, it is imperative that we seriously consider the merits and implications of making college education free in America.
