Aristotle’s Politics: i want to do Book III, ch. 6-9 Analytical Paper: You will be asked to write four short analysis paper (1,300 to 1,500 words or approx. 4 pages, double-spaced). These papers are intended to give you an opportunity to reflect on a particular question raised by the readings or class discussions. These are formal writing assignments and require correct style, format, grammar, and usage. doYou do not need to consult any additional sources.
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
Aristotle’s Politics: An Analysis of Book III, Chapters 6-9
Aristotle’s Politics is a seminal work in political, delving into the intric of governance, justice, the ideal state. In Book III, chapters6-9, Aristotle explores the concept of citizenship and its role in fostering aious and functional society. This analytical paper aims to delve into the key ideas in these chapters and provide a critical analysis Aristotle’s perspective on citizenship.
Chapter : Citizenship as Participation
In this chapter, Aristotle argues that citizenship is not merely legal status but primarily involves active participation in the political affairs of the community He asserts that citizens should have the right engage in decision-making processes and hold public offices. This notion aligns with Aristotle’s belief in a participatory democracy, where citizens actively contribute to the collective well-being.
Aristotle emphasizes that true citizenship requires involvement beyond mere obedience to laws. Citizens should actively deliberate on matters of public interest, engaging in thoughtful discussion and debate. Through such participation, citizens become invested in the common good, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Chapter 7: Types of Citizenship
Chapter 7 delves into different types of citizenship and their implications. Aristotle distinguishes between full citizens, who possess all rights and privileges, and partial citizens, who have limited participation. He argues that full citizenship should be based on merit, with those who contribute more to the community being granted greater rights and responsibilities.
This merit-based approach raises questions about equality and fairness. While rewarding merit seems justifiable, it can potentially lead to marginalization or exclusion of certain groups. Aristotle’s perspective on citizenship relies on an idealized vision of a homogeneous community, which may not align with contemporary notions of inclusivity and diversity.
Chapter 8: Natural vs. Conventional Citizenship
Chapter 8 explores the distinction between natural and conventional citizenship. Aristotle posits that natural citizenship is derived from birth, while conventional citizenship is acquired through legal means, such as immigration or emancipation. He argues that natural citizens have a stronger claim to political participation due to their inherent connection to the community.
While Aristotle’s distinction between natural and conventional citizenship reflects the prevailing understanding of his time, it raises questions regarding fairness and justice. Denying certain individuals political rights solely based on their non-native status may perpetuate inequality and undermine the principles of equal opportunity.
Chapter 9: Women and Slavery
In Chapter 9, Aristotle discusses the role of women and slaves in the context of citizenship. He argues that women and slaves are inherently different from free men and, therefore, should not be granted full political participation. This view stems from Aristotle’s belief in a hierarchical society, where some individuals are naturally subordinate to others.
Aristotle’s perspective on women and slaves raises ethical concerns regarding equality and human rights. Modern societies have made significant progress in recognizing the inherent dignity and equal worth of all individuals, irrespective of gender or social status. Therefore, Aristotle’s exclusionary stance on women and slaves appears outdated and incompatible with contemporary values.
Conclusion
Aristotle’s analysis of citizenship in Book III, chapters 6-9 of Politics provides valuable insights into his vision of a functioning state. While his emphasis on active participation and merit-based citizenship resonates with democratic ideals, his exclusionary views on women, slaves, and non-natives raise important ethical considerations.
As we critically engage with Aristotle’s ideas, it is crucial to recognize the historical context in which they were formulated. While some aspects may not align with modern principles of equality and inclusivity, Aristotle’s exploration of citizenship remains influential in shaping our understanding of political participation and the responsibilities that come with it. By examining both the strengths and limitations of Aristotle’s arguments, we can continue to refine our conception of citizenship in contemporary society.
