Analyze and apply the appropriate ethical standards and social responsibilities of the human services profession to the delivery of human or community services (Human Services Concentration Outcome).
In Module 5, you created an outline and annotated bibliography for your final essay.
Based on the outline submitted in Module 5:
Prepare a paper between 1250-1500 words. This paper should use all of the scholarly sources from the bibliography you submitted in Module 5. This paper should be in American Psychological Association (APA) format. This paper will be due at the end of Module 8.
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
Title: Ethical Standards and Social Responsibilities in the Human Services Profession
Introduction
The human services profession plays a crucial role in supporting individuals and communities in need. In delivering human services, professionals are expected to adhere to specific ethical standards and social responsibilities to ensure the well-being and dignity of those they serve. This paper explores the importance of ethical standards and social responsibilities in the human services profession and how they impact the delivery of human or community services.
Thesis Statement
The adherence to ethical standards and social responsibilities is essential in the human services profession as it promotes integrity, trust, and accountability, ultimately leading to better outcomes for individuals and communities.
Understanding Ethical Standards in Human Services
Ethical standards in the human services profession encompass a set of guidelines and principles that govern the behavior and decision-making of professionals. These standards are designed to protect the rights and interests of clients, promote fairness and justice, and maintain the integrity of the profession. By upholding ethical standards, human services professionals demonstrate respect for individuals’ autonomy, confidentiality, and right to self-determination.
Social Responsibilities in Human Services
In addition to ethical standards, human services professionals have social responsibilities to consider. Social responsibilities involve promoting social justice, advocating for marginalized populations, and addressing systemic issues that impact the well-being of individuals and communities. By engaging in social responsibility efforts, human services professionals contribute to positive social change and work towards creating a more equitable society.
Integration of Ethical Standards and Social Responsibilities in Practice
Integrating ethical standards and social responsibilities into daily practice is essential for human services professionals. This integration involves making ethical decisions, maintaining professional boundaries, and advocating for policies that uphold social justice. By aligning their actions with ethical standards and social responsibilities, professionals can build trust with clients, colleagues, and the community, fostering positive relationships and promoting the effectiveness of their services.
Case Studies: Applying Ethical Standards and Social Responsibilities
To illustrate the significance of ethical standards and social responsibilities in the human services profession, let’s explore two case studies:
1. Case Study 1: Child Welfare Services
In a child welfare agency, a social worker is faced with a dilemma involving a child at risk of abuse. The social worker must balance the child’s safety with the family’s right to privacy. By applying ethical principles such as beneficence and non-maleficence, the social worker can make decisions that prioritize the child’s well-being while respecting the family’s autonomy.
2. Case Study 2: Community Counseling
A community counselor works with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Through advocacy efforts and community outreach programs, the counselor promotes access to mental health services for underserved populations. By fulfilling their social responsibilities, the counselor contributes to reducing stigma around mental health issues and improving overall community well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethical standards and social responsibilities are integral components of the human services profession. By upholding these standards and responsibilities, professionals can enhance the quality of care they provide, foster positive relationships with clients and communities, and contribute to broader social change. As the field of human services continues to evolve, maintaining a commitment to ethical practice and social responsibility remains essential for promoting the well-being of all individuals and communities.
In this essay, we have discussed the importance of ethical standards and social responsibilities in the human services profession. By examining case studies and discussing the integration of these principles into practice, we have highlighted how adherence to ethical standards and social responsibilities can lead to positive outcomes for individuals and communities.
