Choose a design field or industry, and select 2-3 theories that have led to the field becoming what it is today
Design field or industry: Decolonizing Design
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
Decolonizing Design: Embracing Diversity and Challenging Power Structures
Introduction
Decolonizing design is a relatively new and rapidly evolving field that challenges the dominant narratives and power structures within design. It seeks to address the historical and ongoing impact of colonization and Eurocentrism in design practice, education, and discourse. Decolonizing design emphasizes diverse perspectives, cultural inclusivity, and social justice. In this essay, we will explore three theories that have shaped the field of decolonizing design: postcolonial theory, design justice, and indigenous design principles.
1. Postcolonial Theory
Postcolonial theory is a critical framework that examines the social, cultural, and political legacies of colonialism. It highlights the power imbalances, cultural domination, and marginalization that have resulted from colonial processes. In the context of design, postcolonial theory challenges the Eurocentric biases and colonial narratives that have influenced design practice, education, and representation.
The theory of postcolonialism has been instrumental in decolonizing design by raising awareness about the need to challenge dominant paradigms and question underlying power structures. It encourages designers to critically examine their own practices, biases, and assumptions, and consider the impact of their work on marginalized communities. Postcolonial theory promotes a shift towards inclusive design practices that value diverse cultural perspectives and empower marginalized voices.
2. Design Justice
Design justice is a theory that advocates for the redistribution of power within design practices, processes, and outcomes. It recognizes that design has the potential to perpetuate or challenge social inequities and injustices. Design justice seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and actively work towards more equitable and inclusive design practices.
The theory of design justice has significantly influenced the field of decolonizing design by foregrounding the importance of social impact and ethical considerations. It calls for designers to engage with communities, particularly those historically marginalized or underrepresented, throughout the design process. Design justice encourages designers to prioritize the needs and aspirations of these communities, ensuring that they have a say in shaping their own environments.
3. Indigenous Design Principles
Indigenous design principles are rooted in the knowledge, wisdom, and traditions of Indigenous cultures around the world. These principles emphasize interconnectedness, sustainability, cultural preservation, and respect for the land and community. Indigenous design seeks to challenge colonial ways of thinking and promote Indigenous worldviews within design practice.
The incorporation of Indigenous design principles within decolonizing design has been transformative in embracing diverse perspectives and challenging Western-centric notions of design. Indigenous design principles highlight the importance of cultural continuity, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. By integrating these principles into design practice, decolonizing designers can create spaces that honor Indigenous knowledge, promote cultural diversity, and foster sustainable relationships with the natural world.
Conclusion
Decolonizing design is a critical response to the historical and ongoing impact of colonization on design practice. The theories of postcolonialism, design justice, and Indigenous design principles have played a pivotal role in shaping the field by challenging dominant narratives, redistributing power, and embracing diverse perspectives.
By embracing these theories, decolonizing designers can challenge oppressive systems, amplify marginalized voices, and create more inclusive and equitable design practices. Decolonizing design encourages designers to critically examine their own biases and assumptions, engage with communities, and embrace diverse cultural perspectives. As the field continues to evolve, it is crucial for designers to adopt these theories and actively work towards a more inclusive and just design industry.
