Based on the Stages of Moral Development by Lawrence Kolhberg and the phases in the Theory of Moral Development by Carol Gilligan, eveluate your own moral development and identify what stage or phase are you currently situated.
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
Evaluating My Own Moral Development
Introduction
Moral development is a crucial aspect of human growth and understanding. Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan are two prominent psychologists known for their theories on moral development. Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development and Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development provide frameworks for understanding how individuals progress in their ethical reasoning and decision-making abilities. In this essay, I will evaluate my own moral development based on these theories and identify the stage or phase in which I currently find myself.
Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Kohlberg’s theory consists of six stages divided into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each stage represents a different level of moral reasoning, with individuals progressing through these stages as they mature.
1. Pre-conventional Level: At this level, morality is based on obedience and self-interest.
2. Conventional Level: Individuals at this level adhere to societal norms and rules.
3. Post-conventional Level: This level involves adherence to universal ethical principles and the recognition of individual rights.
Carol Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development
Gilligan’s theory focuses on the ethics of care and highlights the importance of relationships, empathy, and compassion in moral decision-making. She proposes three phases of moral development:
1. Pre-conventional Phase: Characterized by self-interest and individual survival.
2. Conventional Phase: Emphasizes social norms, responsibilities, and maintaining relationships.
3. Post-conventional Phase: Prioritizes principles of care, compassion, and justice in ethical decision-making.
My Moral Development Evaluation
Reflecting on my own moral development, I believe that I am currently situated in the post-conventional level of moral reasoning according to Kohlberg’s stages. I find myself considering universal ethical principles, such as justice, fairness, and human rights, when making moral decisions. Additionally, I resonate with Gilligan’s post-conventional phase as I prioritize care, compassion, and empathy in my interactions with others.
Conclusion
Understanding one’s own moral development is essential for personal growth and ethical decision-making. By evaluating our moral reasoning through the lenses of Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development and Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development, we can gain insight into our values, beliefs, and behaviors. Continual self-reflection and learning are key to advancing to higher stages or phases of moral development and becoming more ethical individuals in society.