Write an essay about Bureaucratic Organizations
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
Bureaucratic Organizations: A Closer Look into Structure and Function
Abstract
Bureaucratic organizations have long been a cornerstone of modern society, providing structure, order, and efficiency. This essay delves into the concept of bureaucratic organizations, exploring their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. By understanding the inner workings of bureaucratic organizations, we can gain insights into their functioning, adaptability, and potential areas for improvement. Furthermore, this essay highlights the importance of striking a balance between bureaucracy and flexibility to foster innovation and responsiveness in today’s rapidly changing world.
Introduction
Bureaucratic organizations are formal structures characterized by clear hierarchical authority, standardized procedures, and a division of labor. These organizations are prevalent in government entities, large corporations, and even non-profit organizations. The bureaucratic model aims to establish order, control, and efficiency within organizations by outlining rules, responsibilities, and processes.
Findings
Characteristics of Bureaucratic Organizations
Hierarchical Structure: Bureaucratic organizations typically have multiple levels of authority, with decision-making power concentrated at the top. Each level has specific roles, responsibilities, and reporting requirements.
Standardized Procedures: Bureaucratic organizations rely on standardized processes to ensure consistency and predictability in their operations. This reduces ambiguity and enhances accountability.
Division of Labor: Tasks and responsibilities are divided among specialized roles within a bureaucratic organization. This division allows for expertise development and encourages efficiency.
Impersonality: Bureaucratic organizations prioritize objectivity and impartiality by treating individuals as interchangeable units rather than focusing on personal relationships or preferences.
Advantages of Bureaucratic Organizations
Efficiency: The standardization of procedures and division of labor in bureaucratic organizations promote efficiency by eliminating duplication of efforts and streamlining operations.
Stability and Order: The hierarchical structure provides stability and clear lines of authority, reducing uncertainty within the organization.
Accountability: The formalized rules and procedures in bureaucratic organizations facilitate accountability, making it easier to track performance and identify areas for improvement.
Disadvantages of Bureaucratic Organizations
Rigidity: Bureaucratic organizations can become overly rigid and resistant to change due to their adherence to established procedures and hierarchical structures. This can hinder innovation and adaptability.
Slow Decision-Making: The hierarchical decision-making process in bureaucratic organizations may lead to delays in decision-making as information has to flow through multiple levels of authority.
Lack of Individual Autonomy: The emphasis on following established rules and procedures can stifle individual creativity and autonomy within bureaucratic organizations.
Striking a Balance
To overcome the limitations of bureaucratic organizations, it is crucial to strike a balance between structure and flexibility. Organizations can introduce mechanisms to encourage innovation, agility, and adaptability while still maintaining efficient processes. This includes fostering a culture that values employee empowerment, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and implementing periodic reviews of bureaucratic processes to identify areas for improvement.
Conclusions, Recommendations, and Suggestions for Further Study
Bureaucratic organizations play a vital role in maintaining order and efficiency. However, they must also be adaptable to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Striking a balance between structure and flexibility is essential for fostering innovation, responsiveness, and employee engagement within bureaucratic organizations.
In conclusion, while bureaucratic organizations have their advantages in terms of stability and accountability, they can also be hindered by rigidity and slow decision-making processes. By recognizing these limitations and implementing strategies to promote flexibility and innovation, bureaucratic organizations can thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.
Further studies could explore how technology can be leveraged to enhance the agility of bureaucratic organizations or investigate alternative organizational structures that offer a balance between orderliness and adaptability.
References
Weber, M. (1947). The Theory of Social and Economic Organization. Free Press.
Mintzberg, H. (1979). The Structuring of Organizations: A Synthesis of the Research. Prentice-Hall.
March, J. G., & Simon, H. A. (1958). Organizations. Wiley & Sons.
