Characteristics of a vulnerable consumer.

by | Oct 20, 2024 | Economics

 

 

Define the characteristics of a vulnerable consumer. Considering ethics, should there be greater government regulation with respect to selling to vulnerable consumers? Within the context of a Christian worldview, why should businesses consider the methods of marketing to vulnerable consumers?

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.


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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.

Characteristics of Vulnerable Consumers

Vulnerable consumers are individuals who may have limited ability to make informed decisions due to factors such as:

  • Age: Children, adolescents, and the elderly may be more susceptible to manipulation or exploitation.
  • Cognitive Impairment: Individuals with cognitive disabilities, such as dementia or intellectual impairment, may have difficulty understanding and evaluating information.
  • Physical Disability: Individuals with physical disabilities may face barriers to accessing information or making informed choices.

Characteristics of Vulnerable Consumers

Vulnerable consumers are individuals who may have limited ability to make informed decisions due to factors such as:

  • Age: Children, adolescents, and the elderly may be more susceptible to manipulation or exploitation.
  • Cognitive Impairment: Individuals with cognitive disabilities, such as dementia or intellectual impairment, may have difficulty understanding and evaluating information.
  • Physical Disability: Individuals with physical disabilities may face barriers to accessing information or making informed choices.
  • Economic Disadvantage: Individuals with limited financial resources may be more vulnerable to predatory marketing practices.
  • Language Barriers: Individuals who do not speak the language of the marketplace may be at a disadvantage.
  • Social Isolation: Individuals who are socially isolated or lack support networks may be more vulnerable to exploitation.

Government Regulation and Ethics

There is a strong ethical argument for greater government regulation to protect vulnerable consumers. Vulnerable consumers are more likely to be targeted by deceptive or predatory marketing practices, and they may have difficulty understanding their rights or seeking redress.

Government regulation can help to protect vulnerable consumers by:

  • Prohibiting deceptive or misleading marketing practices: This can include regulations related to advertising, labeling, and pricing.
  • Requiring clear and understandable disclosures: Businesses should be required to provide clear and understandable information about their products or services, including any potential risks or limitations.
  • Establishing consumer protection agencies: These agencies can investigate complaints from vulnerable consumers and take action against businesses that engage in unfair or deceptive practices.

Christian Worldview and Marketing to Vulnerable Consumers

From a Christian perspective, businesses have a moral obligation to treat all consumers with dignity and respect. This includes a responsibility to protect vulnerable consumers from exploitation and harm.

The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). This principle can be applied to business practices, requiring businesses to treat consumers fairly and ethically, regardless of their vulnerability.

Additionally, the Christian worldview emphasizes the importance of justice and compassion. Businesses should strive to create a just and equitable marketplace where all consumers are treated fairly, regardless of their circumstances.

By considering the ethical implications of their marketing practices, businesses can contribute to a more just and compassionate society.

 

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