The general subject topic of your paper:
An omission (or failure to act) as criminal offenses
While you are primarily addressing the topic selected, you may want to discuss or expand on a topic presented in the textbook, a case dealing with the subject, or a current event from the news or Internet, and present your viewpoint or perspective on that item as it relates to the issue present in your chosen topic
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
Criminalizing Omissions: The Ethical Dilemma of Failure to Act
Introduction
Criminal law traditionally focuses on punishing individuals for their actions. However, there are instances where individuals can be held criminally liable for their failure to act, also known as omissions. This essay explores the concept of criminalizing omissions, the ethical implications, and the need for a careful balance between personal responsibility and the limits of criminal liability.
Understanding Omissions as Criminal Offenses
In criminal law, omissions refer to situations where an individual fails to perform a legally required action, resulting in harm or injury to others. This can include instances where there is a legal duty to act, such as in cases of parental neglect or professional responsibilities. The rationale behind criminalizing omissions is to hold individuals accountable for their failure to prevent harm when they have a duty to do so.
The Ethical Dilemma
Criminalizing omissions raises ethical concerns, primarily related to the scope of personal responsibility and the potential for unjust outcomes. Unlike actions, which are driven by intent or knowledge, omissions may occur due to factors such as ignorance, lack of resources, or external circumstances beyond an individual’s control. Punishing individuals for failing to act in such situations challenges the traditional principles of criminal liability.
Case Study: Duty to Rescue Laws
One example that exemplifies the ethical dilemmas surrounding criminalizing omissions is the debate over duty to rescue laws. Some jurisdictions impose a legal duty on individuals to assist others in distress if they are capable of doing so without endangering themselves. Failure to fulfill this duty can result in criminal charges.
Critics argue that imposing a legal duty to rescue raises concerns about personal autonomy and the potential for arbitrary enforcement. They contend that individuals should have the freedom to decide whether or not to intervene in a dangerous situation, especially when doing so may put their own safety at risk.
Balancing Personal Responsibility and Criminal Liability
While it is essential to promote personal responsibility, criminalizing all omissions can have unintended consequences. Striking a balance between personal autonomy and social responsibility is crucial. To achieve this balance, several factors should be considered:
Legal Duties: Clearly defining legal duties and obligations can help establish a reasonable framework for criminal liability. These duties should be based on a reasonable expectation of action and take into account an individual’s capacity and resources.
Culpability: Criminal liability for omissions should generally require proof of culpable mental state or knowledge of the duty to act. This ensures that individuals are not unfairly penalized for their failure to act due to ignorance or lack of awareness.
Proximity and Relationship: The existence of a close relationship or proximity between the parties involved may influence the imposition of criminal liability. For example, parents have a legal duty to care for their children, healthcare professionals have a duty to provide appropriate medical care, and employers have a duty to ensure workplace safety.
Reasonable Expectations: The law should take into account what is reasonably expected of individuals in specific situations. This includes considering factors such as available resources, abilities, and the level of risk involved.
Conclusion
Criminalizing omissions presents an ethical dilemma that requires careful consideration. While there is a need to hold individuals accountable for their failure to act when they have a legal duty to do so, it is crucial to strike a balance between personal autonomy and social responsibility. By defining clear legal duties, considering culpability, assessing proximity and relationship, and setting reasonable expectations, we can navigate the complexities of criminalizing omissions while upholding principles of fairness and justice within the criminal justice system.
