What role do natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation, play in influencing global temperatures, and how do they compare to the impact of human activities on climate change?
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 Influence of Natural Phenomena on Global Temperatures and the Human Impact on Climate Change
Natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation, have long been recognized as factors that can influence global temperatures. While these natural events can cause short-term fluctuations in the Earth’s climate, the impact of human activities on climate change is now widely acknowledged as the primary driver of long-term temperature trends. Understanding the interplay between natural phenomena and human-induced climate change is crucial in addressing the challenges of a warming planet.
Thesis Statement
While natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and solar radiation can temporarily affect global temperatures, the cumulative impact of human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, has become the dominant force driving long-term climate change. Recognizing the role of both natural and human-induced factors is essential in developing effective strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Influence of Natural Phenomena
Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere, which can block sunlight and lower global temperatures in the short term. Similarly, variations in solar radiation, such as sunspots and solar flares, can impact the amount of energy reaching Earth and influence temperature patterns. While these natural events can lead to temporary cooling or warming effects, their overall impact on long-term climate trends is limited compared to human activities.
Human Activities and Climate Change
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly altered the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. The release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted human-induced factors as the primary driver of recent climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for mitigation efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
A Comparison of Impacts
While natural phenomena can cause short-term fluctuations in global temperatures, the influence of human activities on climate change far outweighs these temporary effects. Studies have shown that human-induced factors are responsible for the majority of the warming observed over the past century, leading to rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems worldwide. The cumulative impact of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities poses a significant threat to the stability of the Earth’s climate system.
Addressing Climate Change
Recognizing the complex interplay between natural phenomena and human activities is essential in devising effective strategies to address climate change. Mitigation efforts, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable land-use practices, and promoting energy efficiency, are crucial steps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By understanding the contributions of both natural and human-induced factors to global temperature trends, we can work towards a more sustainable future for our planet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and solar radiation can influence global temperatures in the short term, human activities are the primary drivers of long-term climate change. The impact of greenhouse gas emissions from human sources far surpasses the effects of natural events, underscoring the urgency of addressing anthropogenic climate change. By implementing proactive measures to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate, we can mitigate the risks associated with global warming and safeguard the health of our planet for future generations.
