Step 1: Watch the video of Sam Richards:
Step 2: Answer the following questions:
Question 1: What aspects of this video piqued your curiosity? What do you consider to be the most thought-provoking point of this video?
Question 2: Based on the video and what we learned in class, how do you understand sociology? What is your own perception of sociology?
Question 3: In your understanding, what are the key differences between sociology and social psychology?
Question 4: What is the difference between psychological social psychology and sociological social psychology?
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
Essay: Exploring the Intriguing Insights of Sam Richards’ Video on Sociology
Sam Richards’ captivating video delves into the realms of sociology, sparking curiosity and prompting deep reflections on societal dynamics and human interactions. Let’s delve into the thought-provoking aspects of the video and explore key concepts in sociology and social psychology.
Question 1: Aspects of Intrigue
The video’s emphasis on perspective-taking and the power of empathy in understanding diverse viewpoints piqued my curiosity. The most thought-provoking point was when Sam Richards challenged the audience to empathize with the experiences of those labeled as terrorists. This provocative stance on empathy and understanding highlighted the complexity of societal issues and the importance of stepping into others’ shoes to foster compassion and bridge divides.
Question 2: Understanding Sociology
Sociology, as illuminated by Sam Richards, is the study of society and human behavior within social contexts. It explores how individuals are shaped by their surroundings, cultural norms, and social structures. My perception of sociology aligns with this definition, emphasizing the significance of analyzing patterns of behavior, social inequalities, and power dynamics to comprehend societal complexities and drive positive change.
Question 3: Differences Between Sociology and Social Psychology
Sociology focuses on broader social structures, institutions, and cultural norms that influence group behavior and societal trends. It examines macro-level phenomena such as social classes, institutions, and global systems. On the other hand, social psychology zooms in on individual behavior within social contexts, exploring how individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social factors like peer pressure, conformity, and group dynamics.
Question 4: Psychological vs. Sociological Social Psychology
Psychological social psychology delves into individual cognitive processes, emotions, and behaviors within social settings. It explores topics like attitudes, persuasion, prejudice, and interpersonal relationships from a psychological perspective. In contrast, sociological social psychology examines how social structures, norms, and institutions shape individual behavior and attitudes. It delves into collective identities, social movements, power dynamics, and group interactions to understand societal phenomena at a broader level.
In conclusion, Sam Richards’ thought-provoking insights shed light on the intricate interplay between individual experiences and societal structures, emphasizing the value of empathy and understanding in navigating complex social issues. Sociology and social psychology offer unique lenses through which to explore human behavior and societal dynamics, each providing valuable perspectives on the intricate tapestry of human interactions and societal norms. By engaging with these disciplines, we gain deeper insights into the complexities of the world around us and pave the way for a more empathetic and interconnected society.
