Consider the following, and think about your ideas on social class.
A wealthy international drug trafficker and his family live in a well-to-do upper-class neighborhood in Beverly Hills, California. They live in a mansion, have all the finest automobiles, and enjoy a very affluent lifestyle. Do you consider this family to be elite and upper-class, even though the source of all their income is from illegal drug trafficking activities?
In your discussion post, respond to the following questions:
How do you define social class?
What do you consider the most important factor in determining social class?
Your text states that even though it’s possible to move up and down the social ladder, most people stay close to their class of origin. What factors do you feel keep individuals close to their initial status and keep them from moving up the ladder more often?
Have you or members of your family moved up or down the class ladder, either recently or in previous generations? If so, what factors contributed to the change?
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
Defining Social Class
Social class can be defined as a hierarchical division of society based on economic, social, and cultural factors. It is a system that categorizes individuals or groups into different strata based on their wealth, occupation, education, and social status. Social class is not solely determined by one factor but is a complex combination of various elements that shape an individual’s position in society.
Factors Determining Social Class
The most important factor in determining social class is often considered to be economic wealth or income. Wealth provides individuals with access to resources, opportunities, and privileges that can significantly influence their social standing. It enables them to afford a higher standard of living, access quality education, healthcare, and have greater social mobility.
However, it is crucial to recognize that social class is not solely defined by wealth alone. Occupation and educational attainment also play significant roles. Occupations that require specialized skills or advanced degrees tend to be associated with higher social status. For example, doctors, lawyers, and engineers are often considered part of the upper-middle or upper class due to their prestigious professions.
Additionally, social class is influenced by cultural capital and social connections. Cultural capital refers to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that individuals acquire through their upbringing and education. It includes aspects such as language proficiency, manners, cultural tastes, and social etiquette. These attributes are often associated with higher social classes.
Factors Influencing Social Mobility
While social mobility is possible, individuals often remain close to their class of origin due to several factors. These factors can include:
Education: Access to quality education plays a crucial role in social mobility. Individuals from lower-income backgrounds may face challenges in accessing quality education or may lack the resources and support necessary to pursue higher education. This can limit their opportunities for upward mobility.
Social networks: Social connections and networks often provide individuals with opportunities for advancement. Individuals from higher social classes may have more extensive networks that can provide them with job opportunities, mentorship, and access to influential circles. Conversely, those from lower classes may have limited access to such networks.
Inherited privileges: Privileges and advantages passed down through generations can contribute to maintaining social class positions. Inheritance of wealth, property, or social connections can provide individuals with advantages that facilitate upward mobility or reinforce their current social status.
Societal structures: Societal structures and systemic inequalities can create barriers for individuals attempting upward mobility. Discrimination based on race, gender, or socioeconomic background can limit opportunities for advancement and reinforce existing social hierarchies.
Personal Experience with Social Mobility
In my family’s case, there have been instances of both upward and downward mobility over the generations. Factors contributing to these changes include:
Education: Higher education has played a significant role in upward mobility within my family. Several members pursued advanced degrees that opened doors to better job opportunities and increased income.
Economic circumstances: Economic fluctuations and external factors can impact social class positions. Economic downturns or financial hardships can lead to downward mobility, while favorable economic conditions can contribute to upward mobility.
Occupational choices: Changes in occupation can also influence social mobility. Career shifts or advancements within specific industries can lead to changes in income and social status.
Social connections: Networking and connections have played a role in both upward and downward mobility within my family. Opportunities presented through personal connections have influenced career advancements or setbacks.
Overall, while personal choices and individual efforts can contribute to social mobility, it is essential to acknowledge the broader societal factors that shape an individual’s ability to move up or down the class ladder.
