Write an annotated bibliography about true meaning of business
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
Annotated Bibliography: The True Meaning of Business
1. Title: “The Purpose of Business”
Author: Michael E. Porter
Published: Harvard Business Review, November 2011
In this seminal article, Michael Porter argues that the true purpose of business is not just about maximizing profits, but rather creating shared value for all stakeholders. He emphasizes the importance of businesses addressing societal needs and challenges, while also generating economic value. Porter provides examples of companies that have successfully incorporated social and environmental initiatives into their business strategies, demonstrating how a broader view of business can lead to long-term success.
2. Title: “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business”
Authors: John Mackey and Raj Sisodia
Published: Harvard Business Review Press, 2013
Drawing on their experiences as successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, Mackey and Sisodia argue that business has a higher purpose beyond mere profit-making. They introduce the concept of conscious capitalism, which emphasizes the importance of considering the interests of all stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment. The authors provide practical examples and case studies to illustrate how businesses can create value and make a positive impact on society while thriving financially.
3. Title: “The Triple Bottom Line: How Today’s Best-Run Companies Are Achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success – and How You Can Too”
Author: Andrew W. Savitz
Published: Jossey-Bass, 2006
Savitz explores the idea of the triple bottom line: the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of business performance. He argues that businesses should not focus solely on financial profit but also on their impact on people and the planet. Savitz provides case studies of companies that have successfully integrated sustainability practices into their operations, showcasing how these businesses have achieved both financial success and positive societal impact.
4. Title: “The Purpose Economy: How Your Desire for Impact, Personal Growth, and Community Is Changing the World”
Author: Aaron Hurst
Published: Elevate, 2014
Hurst examines the shift in business towards a purpose-driven economy, where individuals seek meaningful work that aligns with their values and contributes to a greater cause. He argues that businesses need to adapt to this changing landscape by incorporating purpose into their organizational culture and operations. Hurst provides insights into how businesses can create a sense of purpose for their employees and customers, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
5. Title: “Firms of Endearment: How World-Class Companies Profit from Passion and Purpose”
Authors: Rajendra S. Sisodia, David B. Wolfe, and Jagdish N. Sheth
Published: Wharton School Publishing, 2007
This book challenges the traditional view of business as purely profit-driven and highlights the success of companies that prioritize purpose and stakeholder value. The authors present a comprehensive study of companies they call “Firms of Endearment,” which are organizations that excel in customer loyalty, employee engagement, and social responsibility. Through detailed case studies, the book demonstrates how these companies outperform their peers financially while making a positive difference in the world.
Thesis Statement:
The true meaning of business goes beyond mere profit-making; it involves creating shared value for all stakeholders by addressing societal needs and challenges. This requires businesses to adopt a broader view of success that encompasses economic, social, and environmental dimensions. By understanding and embracing this true meaning of business, companies can not only thrive financially but also make a positive impact on society.
Incorporating insights from various sources such as Michael Porter’s concept of shared value, John Mackey and Raj Sisodia’s ideas on conscious capitalism, Andrew Savitz’s triple bottom line approach, Aaron Hurst’s exploration of the purpose economy, and the case studies presented in “Firms of Endearment,” this essay will delve into the true meaning of business and its implications for both companies and society as a whole.
