Explain what aspects of organized anarchy make higher education more adaptable and less adaptable and support with research (minimum of two citations).
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 Organized Anarchy on Higher Education Adaptability
Organized anarchy within higher education institutions presents a unique blend of structure and chaos that can both enhance adaptability in some aspects while hindering it in others. This essay explores how organized anarchy influences the adaptability of higher education institutions and provides research-based evidence to support these arguments.
Thesis Statement
Organized anarchy in higher education can enhance adaptability by fostering innovation and flexibility in decision-making processes, yet it may also introduce challenges related to coordination and accountability that can hinder adaptability.
Enhancing Adaptability
One aspect of organized anarchy that makes higher education institutions more adaptable is the decentralized decision-making structure. Research by Mintzberg (1989) suggests that organizations operating in an environment of organized anarchy have the flexibility to respond quickly to changing circumstances due to the distribution of decision-making authority across various levels. In higher education, this can translate into the ability to implement innovative teaching methods, introduce new programs, and adapt curricula to meet evolving student needs.
Furthermore, the presence of multiple stakeholders with diverse perspectives in an organization characterized by organized anarchy can lead to creative problem-solving and a greater capacity for adaptation. A study by Cohen and March (1974) highlights how organizations that embrace ambiguity and dissent among stakeholders are better equipped to navigate complex challenges and adapt to external disruptions. In higher education, this can manifest as collaborative initiatives between faculty, administrators, students, and industry partners to address emerging trends and demands in the academic landscape.
Hindering Adaptability
Despite its potential benefits, organized anarchy in higher education can also impede adaptability in certain aspects. The lack of clear hierarchical structures and defined roles within an organization characterized by organized anarchy may lead to issues related to coordination and accountability. Research by Mintzberg (1979) suggests that excessive decentralization and ambiguity in decision-making processes can result in confusion, conflicts, and inefficiencies that hamper the institution’s ability to adapt effectively.
Moreover, the absence of centralized authority in organized anarchy settings can make it challenging to implement strategic changes or initiatives that require coordinated efforts across departments or units within the institution. This lack of centralized control may hinder the institution’s ability to respond cohesively to external pressures or internal needs for adaptation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, organized anarchy within higher education institutions can have both positive and negative implications for adaptability. While it can foster innovation, flexibility, and creative problem-solving, it may also introduce challenges related to coordination, accountability, and strategic alignment. By understanding the dynamics of organized anarchy and its impact on adaptability, higher education institutions can leverage its strengths while mitigating its potential drawbacks to navigate an ever-changing educational landscape effectively.
References:
– Cohen, M. D., & March, J. G. (1974). Leadership and Ambiguity: The American College President. McGraw-Hill.
– Mintzberg, H. (1979). The Structuring of Organizations: A Synthesis of the Research. Prentice-Hall.
