5-6 page essay (double spaced, 11 pay calibri font) on a social problem of your choice (aging in society, racism, economic inequality, poverty, etc).
a. Identify the causes, history, and context of your chosen social problem
b. Elaborate how your social problem effects society
c. Predict what your social problem will look like in the future if it is not solved/addressed
d. Offer some potential solutions to your social problem
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
Economic Inequality: A Persistent Social Problem
Introduction
Economic inequality is a pressing social problem that has far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. It refers to the unequal distribution of wealth, income, and resources among individuals and groups within a society. This essay will explore the causes, history, and context of economic inequality, elaborate on its effects on society, predict its future implications if left unaddressed, and offer potential solutions to this social problem.
Causes, History, and Context
The causes of economic inequality are multifaceted and often interrelated. Structural factors such as discriminatory policies, unequal access to education and healthcare, and disparities in wealth distribution contribute to the perpetuation of economic inequality. Globalization and technological advancements have also played a role in widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
The history of economic inequality dates back centuries, with periods of significant inequality followed by movements towards greater equality. The industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries saw the emergence of extreme wealth disparities between the bourgeoisie and the working class. However, the subsequent rise of labor movements and social reforms led to the establishment of welfare states and policies aimed at reducing inequality.
In recent decades, economic inequality has resurfaced as a significant concern. The neoliberal economic paradigm, characterized by deregulation, privatization, and free market principles, has contributed to a widening gap between the rich and the poor. The concentration of wealth in the hands of a few has been facilitated by tax loopholes for the wealthy, corporate influence on politics, and the erosion of workers’ rights.
Effects on Society
Economic inequality has profound effects on society. It exacerbates social divisions and leads to a range of negative consequences. Firstly, it undermines social cohesion and trust. When individuals perceive that the system is rigged in favor of the wealthy, social unrest and tensions can arise.
Secondly, economic inequality perpetuates poverty and restricts social mobility. Limited access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities disproportionately affects those in lower socio-economic strata. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty and reduces opportunities for upward mobility.
Furthermore, economic inequality has adverse health effects. Individuals with lower incomes have limited access to healthcare services, leading to higher morbidity rates and shorter life expectancies. Additionally, stress associated with financial insecurity can lead to mental health problems.
Lastly, economic inequality hampers economic growth. When wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, it limits consumption and investment opportunities for the majority. This reduces overall productivity and stifles innovation, hindering long-term economic development.
Future Implications
If economic inequality is not adequately addressed, its future implications are concerning. The wealth gap is likely to widen further as technological advancements such as automation lead to job displacement for low-skilled workers. This will result in increased unemployment rates and further marginalization of vulnerable populations.
The erosion of the middle class is also a potential consequence of unchecked economic inequality. This would lead to a society divided into two distinct groups: a wealthy elite with significant power and influence, and a large population struggling to make ends meet. Such divisions can fuel social unrest and political instability.
Additionally, economic inequality can have intergenerational effects. Children born into low-income families face limited opportunities for education and upward mobility. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty across generations, creating a deeply entrenched system of inequality.
Potential Solutions
Addressing economic inequality requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy interventions, institutional reforms, and societal changes. Some potential solutions include:
Progressive taxation: Implementing progressive tax structures that ensure the wealthy contribute their fair share can help redistribute wealth and reduce income disparities.
Strengthening labor rights: Protecting workers’ rights through legislation can help level the playing field and ensure fair wages and working conditions.
Investing in education: Ensuring equal access to quality education from early childhood through higher education can help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and promote social mobility.
Social safety nets: Establishing robust social safety nets, including affordable healthcare, housing assistance, and unemployment benefits, can provide a safety net for those facing economic hardships.
Addressing corporate influence: Implementing measures to reduce corporate influence on politics can help create a more equitable policy environment that prioritizes the interests of all citizens.
Encouraging fair trade practices: Promoting fair trade practices globally can help reduce income disparities between developed and developing countries and foster more equitable global economic relations.
Conclusion
Economic inequality is a pervasive social problem with profound consequences for individuals and societies. Its causes are rooted in structural factors and historical contexts. If left unaddressed, economic inequality will continue to widen wealth gaps, undermine social cohesion, perpetuate poverty, hamper economic growth, and pose challenges for future generations. However, through progressive taxation, labor rights protection, investment in education, social safety nets, addressing corporate influence, and promoting fair trade practices, society can move towards a more equitable future where economic opportunities are accessible to all.
