2A. Utilizing the textbook, describe the Nature – Nurture controversy.
2B. How does the concept of plasticity influence these arguments?
2C. What is your personal opinion- do you think genes or the environment are more important? Support your answer.
2D. How does the information in “The Adverse Childhood Experience Study” relate to these ideas?
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: Exploring the Nature-Nurture Controversy and Plasticity in Human Development
Nature-Nurture Controversy
The Nature-Nurture controversy is a long-standing debate in psychology that concerns the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environmental influences (nurture) to human behavior and development. This debate questions whether our traits and behaviors are predominantly determined by our genetic makeup or shaped by our experiences and interactions with the environment.
Influence of Plasticity on the Nature-Nurture Debate
Plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, suggesting that both genes and the environment play crucial roles in shaping human development. The concept of plasticity highlights that while genetic predispositions set certain boundaries, environmental factors can influence how these genetic tendencies are expressed. This notion challenges the dichotomy of nature versus nurture and emphasizes the dynamic interaction between genes and the environment in shaping human behavior.
Personal Opinion on Genes vs. Environment
In my opinion, both genes and the environment are equally important in influencing human development. While genes provide a foundation for our biological predispositions, the environment plays a significant role in how these genetic tendencies manifest. Environmental factors such as upbringing, social interactions, education, and life experiences can modify genetic expression and shape individual characteristics and behaviors. The interplay between genes and the environment is essential for understanding the complexity of human development.
The Adverse Childhood Experience Study and Nature-Nurture Debate
The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study highlights the profound impact of early life experiences on long-term health outcomes and behavioral patterns. This study demonstrates how adverse experiences in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, can have lasting effects on physical and mental health later in life. The findings of the ACE Study underscore the critical role of environmental factors in shaping human development and emphasize the importance of early intervention and support for children facing adversity.
Conclusion
The Nature-Nurture controversy reflects the ongoing discussion about the relative contributions of genetics and environmental influences to human development. The concept of plasticity underscores the dynamic interaction between genes and the environment, challenging traditional dichotomies and emphasizing the importance of both factors in shaping behavior. By recognizing the intertwined nature of genes and the environment, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of human development and tailor interventions to support positive outcomes for individuals across the lifespan.
