Provide a reflection of at least 500 words (or 2 pages double spaced) of how the knowledge, skills, or theories of this course have been applied, or could be applied, in a practical manner to your current work environment. If you are not currently working, share times when you have or could observe these theories and knowledge could be applied to an employment opportunity in your field of study.
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
Title: Application of Course Knowledge to Enhance Work Environment
Introduction: Throughout the course, I have gained valuable knowledge, skills, and theories that have the potential to significantly impact and improve my current work environment. This reflection explores how the concepts learned in this course can be applied practically to enhance productivity, foster effective communication, and promote a positive work culture. Although I am currently not working, I will also discuss how these theories and knowledge could be applied in future employment opportunities within my field of study.
Effective Communication: One crucial aspect of any work environment is effective communication. The course has provided me with a deep understanding of various communication models, strategies, and techniques. These skills can be applied practically in my current work environment by:
Improving written communication: I can utilize the knowledge gained to draft concise and clear emails, reports, and memos. By adopting effective writing techniques, I can ensure that my messages are easily understood and convey the intended information.
Enhancing verbal communication: The course has underscored the importance of active listening, non-verbal cues, and clarity in verbal communication. I can actively apply these skills during meetings, presentations, and discussions to foster better understanding and collaboration among team members.
Conflict Resolution: Conflict is inevitable in any work environment. This course has equipped me with conflict resolution strategies that can be practically applied to manage conflicts effectively:
Identifying underlying issues: By analyzing conflicts from multiple perspectives and understanding the root causes, I can adopt a more empathetic approach towards conflict resolution.
Nurturing a collaborative environment: Applying negotiation techniques learned in the course can help me facilitate open dialogue, reach mutually beneficial solutions, and build stronger relationships with colleagues.
Teamwork and Collaboration: The course emphasized the significance of effective teamwork and collaboration in achieving organizational goals. Employing the following strategies would enhance teamwork in my work environment:
Encouraging diverse perspectives: By recognizing and valuing diverse ideas and opinions, I can foster an inclusive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation.
Establishing clear roles and responsibilities: Applying the principles of team dynamics and role clarity learned in the course will help ensure that all team members understand their responsibilities and work cohesively towards common objectives.
Leadership Development: Although I am not currently in a leadership role, the knowledge gained from this course has provided insights into effective leadership practices that can be applied in future employment opportunities:
Transformational leadership: Understanding the qualities of transformational leaders can guide me in developing leadership skills such as inspiring others, promoting growth, and fostering a positive work environment.
Ethical decision-making: The course has emphasized the importance of ethical decision-making in leadership roles. This knowledge will enable me to make informed decisions while considering the ethical implications on stakeholders.
Conclusion: The knowledge, skills, and theories acquired during this course have significant practical applications in improving my current work environment or future employment opportunities. Effective communication, conflict resolution strategies, teamwork and collaboration, and leadership development are just a few areas where this acquired knowledge can be applied to enhance productivity, promote a positive work culture, and achieve organizational objectives. By actively incorporating these principles into my professional life, I can contribute to creating a more efficient and harmonious work environment where individuals thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
