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: Ecological or Environmental 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
Ecological Design: Pioneering Sustainability in the Built Environment
Introduction
Ecological or Environmental design is a field that focuses on creating sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions in the built environment. It encompasses various disciplines, including architecture, urban planning, landscape design, and interior design. Over the years, several theories have influenced the development of ecological design, shaping it into the field it is today. This essay will explore three such theories: biophilic design, cradle-to-cradle design, and regenerative design.
1. Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is a theory that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature in the built environment. It recognizes that humans have an innate affinity for nature and seeks to incorporate natural elements, materials, and patterns into architectural and interior design. By integrating nature into the built environment, biophilic design aims to improve human well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life.
The theory of biophilic design has significantly influenced ecological design by promoting sustainable practices that enhance human health and well-being. It encourages the use of natural materials, daylighting, views of nature, and the incorporation of vegetation and green spaces. Biophilic design has also inspired the creation of sustainable buildings that are energy-efficient, promote indoor air quality, and reduce waste.
2. Cradle-to-Cradle Design
Cradle-to-cradle design is a concept that advocates for designing products and systems that mimic nature’s regenerative cycles. It challenges the traditional linear model of production and consumption (cradle-to-grave) by promoting a closed-loop system where resources are continually reused or regenerated. This approach ensures that materials are recycled or composted at the end of their useful life, eliminating waste and minimizing environmental impact.
The theory of cradle-to-cradle design has revolutionized ecological design by prioritizing the principles of circular economy and resource efficiency. It encourages designers to consider the entire lifecycle of a product, from material selection to disposal, and to make conscious choices that minimize environmental harm. Cradle-to-cradle design has led to innovations in recyclable materials, modular construction systems, and renewable energy solutions.
3. Regenerative Design
Regenerative design is a theory that goes beyond sustainability by aiming to restore, renew, and revitalize ecosystems through the built environment. It recognizes that human activities have had a detrimental impact on the environment and seeks to create designs that not only minimize harm but actively contribute to ecological restoration. Regenerative design focuses on building resilient systems that regenerate natural resources, enhance biodiversity, and promote ecological balance.
The theory of regenerative design has pushed ecological designers to think beyond reducing negative impacts and focus on creating positive change. It encourages the use of regenerative practices such as rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and native plantings to restore ecosystems and improve their health. Regenerative design also promotes collaboration between designers, scientists, and stakeholders to develop integrated solutions that address complex environmental challenges.
Conclusion
Ecological or Environmental design has evolved into a vital field that addresses the urgent need for sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions in the built environment. The theories of biophilic design, cradle-to-cradle design, and regenerative design have played a pivotal role in shaping the field by promoting sustainable practices, circular economy principles, and ecological restoration.
By embracing these theories, ecological designers can create buildings, landscapes, and cities that not only minimize their environmental footprint but actively contribute to the health and well-being of both humans and ecosystems. As our world faces increasing environmental challenges, it is crucial for designers to continue exploring innovative theories and concepts that push the boundaries of ecological design to create a more sustainable future.
