Present one serious obstacle to the argument that allowing active euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide will inevitably lead to heinous extensions or perversions of the original practices.
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 Solution
Sample Solution
The Obstacle to the Argument Against Euthanasia: Safeguards
The debate surrounding active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is highly contentious, with opponents often arguing that legalizing these practices will lead to heinous extensions or perversions. While it is essential to consider the potential risks, one serious obstacle to this argument is the implementation of robust safeguards. By establishing comprehensive regulations and strict guidelines, it is possible to mitigate the concerns associated with euthanasia and ensure that it is only accessible to those who genuinely need it.
Safeguards Promote Ethical Practice
One key obstacle to the argument against euthanasia is the ability to implement safeguards that promote ethical practice. By establishing a regulatory framework, lawmakers can create a system that ensures euthanasia is only provided to those who meet specific criteria. For example, the Netherlands and Belgium have legalized euthanasia but have stringent guidelines in place to prevent abuse. These guidelines typically require a patient to be experiencing unbearable suffering and to have made a voluntary, well-considered, and persistent request for euthanasia.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Critics often express concern that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or disabled, may be coerced into euthanasia or become targets for abuse. However, robust safeguards can be designed to prevent such scenarios. For instance, mandatory waiting periods can be implemented to ensure patients have had sufficient time to consider their options. Additionally, requiring multiple medical opinions and consultations can help safeguard against the possibility of undue influence or hasty decisions.
Learning from Existing Models
Countries that have legalized euthanasia or PAS provide valuable insights into how safeguards can effectively address concerns. The experience of the Netherlands and Belgium, for example, demonstrates that safeguards can be instrumental in preventing abuse and ensuring the practice remains within the intended boundaries. By studying these models and implementing similar safeguards, other countries can strike a balance between providing a compassionate choice for patients and preventing potential abuses.
Conducting Ongoing Evaluation
To address concerns about perverse extensions, it is crucial to establish an ongoing evaluation system for euthanasia practices. By regularly reviewing the implementation and outcomes of euthanasia laws, policymakers can identify any potential issues and make adjustments as necessary. Continuous evaluation allows for the refinement of safeguards, ensuring that the original intentions of the law are maintained and that any potential abuses are identified and addressed promptly.
Conclusion
While critics argue that legalizing active euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide will inevitably lead to heinous extensions or perversions, the implementation of robust safeguards presents a serious obstacle to this argument. By establishing comprehensive regulations that promote ethical practice, protect vulnerable populations, learn from existing models, and conduct ongoing evaluations, it is possible to strike a balance between providing a compassionate choice for patients and preventing potential abuses. By addressing these concerns head-on, societies can ensure that the practice of euthanasia remains within the intended boundaries and serves its intended purpose.
