Argumentative essay on This house doesn’t believe that climate change is the greatest threat to humanity
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
In Defense of the Argument that Climate Change is Not the Greatest Threat to Humanity
Introduction
The issue of climate change has dominated global discussions in recent years, with many arguing that it poses the greatest threat to humanity. However, this essay takes a contrarian stance by positing that while climate change is undoubtedly a significant concern, it is not the paramount threat facing humanity. By exploring alternative perspectives and considering other pressing issues, this essay seeks to challenge the prevailing narrative on the urgency of climate change.
Thesis Statement
While climate change presents serious environmental challenges, it is not the singular greatest threat to humanity. Issues such as poverty, armed conflicts, global pandemics, and technological risks pose immediate and direct threats to human life and well-being, warranting equal attention and resources in the pursuit of a safer and more sustainable future.
Poverty and Inequality
Argument:
Poverty and inequality are deeply entrenched global issues that affect billions of people daily, leading to hunger, lack of access to essential services, and social unrest. The persistence of poverty poses an immediate threat to human lives and dignity, requiring urgent action and resources to address.
Impact:
Poverty disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, exacerbating social disparities and perpetuating cycles of deprivation. The lack of basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare undermines human security and well-being on a fundamental level.
Counterpoint:
While climate change may exacerbate existing inequalities and threaten livelihoods, mitigating poverty remains a more pressing concern due to its direct and immediate impact on human lives.
Armed Conflicts and Security Threats
Argument:
Armed conflicts and security threats present tangible risks to human life, stability, and global peace. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and geopolitical tensions pose immediate dangers that require coordinated international efforts to address.
Impact:
Armed conflicts result in loss of life, displacement of communities, and widespread suffering, disrupting social systems and undermining human security. The threat of conflict escalation and the potential for humanitarian crises demand urgent attention from global leaders.
Counterpoint:
While climate change may contribute to resource scarcity and environmental displacement, the direct threats posed by armed conflicts and security risks necessitate immediate action to prevent loss of life and protect vulnerable populations.
Global Pandemics and Health Crises
Argument:
Global pandemics and health crises have the potential to cause widespread devastation and loss of life on a global scale. Infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure pose immediate threats to public health and require proactive measures to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
Impact:
Pandemics such as COVID-19 have demonstrated the rapid spread of infectious diseases and their profound impact on economies, societies, and healthcare systems. Failure to address health crises can lead to massive loss of life, economic downturns, and long-term societal disruptions.
Counterpoint:
While climate change may contribute to the spread of diseases through environmental changes, the urgent need to address global pandemics and strengthen healthcare systems takes precedence in safeguarding human health and well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while climate change is a critical issue that demands attention and action, it is not the sole or greatest threat facing humanity today. Challenges such as poverty, armed conflicts, global pandemics, and technological risks present immediate dangers that require urgent responses to protect human lives and ensure a more secure future. By broadening our focus beyond climate change and addressing multifaceted threats comprehensively, we can work towards a more resilient and sustainable world for all.
