Give a brief overview of what your global problem topic is and why you chose it.
• Briefly highlight the key points of scholarly agreement and disagreement uncovered in your literature review.
• Spend the most time on this: Convince the audience of your proposed solution and its ethical perspective and address how it intersects with the topic of cultural diversity.
• Offer concluding thoughts on the future of this global problem and your proposed solution.
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
Global Problem Topic: Climate Change and Its Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Overview of the Topic
The global problem I have chosen to focus on is climate change and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities around the world. As a pressing issue that transcends borders, climate change poses significant threats to human health, food security, and economic stability. I chose this topic due to its far-reaching implications, particularly for marginalized populations who often lack the resources to adapt to environmental changes. Understanding the intersection of climate change with social justice highlights the urgency of addressing this crisis not only as an environmental issue but also as a moral imperative.
Key Points of Scholarly Agreement and Disagreement
In my literature review, there was considerable agreement among scholars regarding the scientific consensus on climate change and the urgent need for collective action. Researchers consistently point to rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise as direct consequences of human activity, primarily fossil fuel consumption. Additionally, there is a consensus on the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing sustainable practices to mitigate further damage.
However, there are notable disagreements in the literature concerning the best approaches to address climate change. Some scholars advocate for market-based solutions, such as carbon pricing and cap-and-trade systems, arguing that economic incentives can drive innovation and reduce emissions. Conversely, others emphasize the need for systemic changes that prioritize social equity and justice, suggesting that market solutions alone may perpetuate existing inequalities rather than alleviate them. This divergence illustrates the complexity of formulating effective responses to climate change.
Proposed Solution and Ethical Perspective
I propose a multi-faceted solution that combines community-based adaptation strategies with global policy reforms to address climate change’s effects on vulnerable populations. This approach emphasizes local engagement and empowerment as central themes.
1. Community-Based Adaptation: Empowering local communities to develop tailored adaptation strategies is crucial. This can include creating resilient agricultural practices, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and enhancing access to clean water. By involving community members in decision-making processes, we ensure that solutions are culturally relevant and address specific needs.
2. Global Policy Reforms: Simultaneously, it is essential to advocate for global policy reforms that prioritize equity in climate action. This includes enforcing stronger emissions regulations on developed nations while providing financial support for developing countries to transition to sustainable practices. Establishing a global fund dedicated to climate adaptation for vulnerable communities can help bridge the gap between resources and needs.
Ethical Perspective
This proposed solution is rooted in an ethical perspective that prioritizes justice, equity, and respect for cultural diversity. The ethical principle of justice demands that those who have contributed the least to climate change should not bear its most severe consequences. By centering the voices of marginalized communities in climate discussions and decisions, we can ensure that their rights are upheld and their unique cultural perspectives are honored.
Cultural diversity enriches our understanding of resilience and adaptation. Different cultures possess valuable knowledge about sustainable practices and ecological stewardship that can inform effective climate action strategies. For example, Indigenous practices often emphasize harmony with nature, offering insights into sustainable land management that can benefit broader efforts in combating climate change.
Conclusion and Future Considerations
In conclusion, addressing climate change requires a comprehensive solution that blends community engagement with systemic policy reforms grounded in ethical considerations of justice and equity. As we look toward the future, it is vital to recognize that climate change is not only an environmental crisis; it is also a social one that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
The path forward must involve collaborative efforts among governments, nonprofits, and communities to implement adaptive strategies that respect cultural diversity while promoting resilience. By investing in localized solutions and advocating for equitable global policies, we can work toward a more sustainable future where all communities are empowered to navigate the challenges posed by climate change.
Ultimately, addressing this global problem is both an urgent necessity and a moral responsibility one that requires us to act with compassion and integrity as we strive for a healthier planet for current and future generations.
