Choose one episode from the series Ancient Apocalypse on Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/title/81211003Links to an external site.
Then write a five-page paper (double-spaced) explaining how Graham Hancock may or may not be cherry-picking his facts and engaging in pseudoscience. What facts or claims does he make that scientists have already proven wrong? Anything he gets right? Really explore what he’s claiming and see if you can back it up.
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
Graham Hancock and the Ancient Apocalypse Series: A Critical Analysis
In the documentary series Ancient Apocalypse available on Netflix, Graham Hancock presents a controversial perspective on ancient civilizations and cataclysmic events that may have shaped human history. Hancock is known for his theories that challenge mainstream historical and archaeological narratives, often drawing criticism from the scientific community for cherry-picking facts and engaging in pseudoscience. This paper will focus on one episode from the series to analyze Hancock’s claims, evaluate their accuracy, and determine to what extent he may be cherry-picking facts.
Episode Selection: “The Fall of Rome”
For this analysis, the episode “The Fall of Rome” will be examined to delve into Hancock’s assertions regarding the collapse of one of the most powerful empires in history. The fall of Rome is a pivotal moment in ancient history, and Hancock’s interpretation of the events leading to its demise provides a fertile ground for scrutinizing his methodology and the validity of his claims.
Cherry-Picking Facts and Pseudoscience
Cherry-Picking Facts
One of the primary criticisms leveled against Graham Hancock is his tendency to cherry-pick facts that align with his theories while ignoring or dismissing evidence that contradicts them. In the context of the fall of Rome, Hancock may selectively choose historical accounts or archaeological findings that support his narrative of cataclysmic events or external influences contributing to the collapse of the Roman Empire.
By selectively presenting evidence that fits his preconceived notions, Hancock runs the risk of distorting historical reality and misleading audiences. It is essential to critically evaluate the sources and data he relies on to ascertain the validity of his claims.
Engaging in Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience involves presenting ideas or beliefs as scientific despite lacking empirical evidence, rigorous methodology, or peer review. Graham Hancock often ventures into the realm of pseudoscience by proposing hypotheses that are not substantiated by mainstream archaeological or historical research.
In the context of ancient civilizations and cataclysmic events, Hancock’s theories may border on pseudoscience if they deviate significantly from established scientific consensus. It is crucial to scrutinize the scientific rigor behind his claims and assess whether they hold up to scholarly scrutiny.
Evaluating Hancock’s Claims on the Fall of Rome
Claims Proven Wrong by Scientists
While Graham Hancock’s theories may offer alternative perspectives on historical events, some of his claims have been challenged or disproven by scientists. For instance, if Hancock posits that a specific cataclysmic event or external force triggered the fall of Rome without substantial empirical evidence to support this assertion, it could be considered a speculative leap that lacks scientific validity.
Moreover, if Hancock disregards well-established historical accounts or archaeological findings in favor of sensationalized narratives that cater to a particular audience, he undermines the credibility of his arguments and risks perpetuating misinformation.
Accuracy in Hancock’s Assertions
Despite criticisms of cherry-picking facts and engaging in pseudoscience, it is essential to acknowledge instances where Graham Hancock’s insights may align with emerging research or offer thought-provoking interpretations of historical phenomena. If Hancock integrates new archaeological discoveries or interdisciplinary perspectives into his analysis of the fall of Rome, he may contribute valuable insights to ongoing scholarly debates.
By critically evaluating both the strengths and weaknesses of Hancock’s arguments, it is possible to discern the nuances of his approach and determine where he may be advancing legitimate inquiries into ancient history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Graham Hancock’s participation in the Ancient Apocalypse series prompts a critical examination of his methodologies, claims, and engagement with pseudoscience. By focusing on an episode like “The Fall of Rome,” it becomes evident that Hancock’s theories warrant scrutiny to discern between factual accuracy and speculative conjecture.
As viewers navigate Hancock’s narratives on ancient civilizations and cataclysmic events, it is imperative to approach his assertions with a discerning eye, interrogate the sources underpinning his arguments, and remain vigilant against the pitfalls of cherry-picking facts and pseudoscience. By engaging in a rigorous evaluation of Hancock’s claims, audiences can navigate the complex terrain of alternative historical interpretations while upholding standards of scholarly integrity and empirical evidence.
