Leadership is a critical concept that some theorists believe that it is inherent, while others opine that it can be nurtured. Discuss these dichotomous views, taking into consideration existing leadership styles, leadership theories, scholarly views
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: Leadership: Innate or Nurtured? Exploring Dichotomous Views and Perspectives
Introduction: Leadership is a multifaceted concept that has been the subject of extensive debate among theorists. While some argue that leadership is an inherent quality, others contend that it can be developed and nurtured. This essay aims to delve into these dichotomous views by examining existing leadership styles, theories, and scholarly perspectives. By exploring the nature versus nurture debate, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of leadership and its potential for growth.
Body:
Innate Perspective:
The innate perspective posits that leadership is an inherent trait possessed by select individuals.
This view suggests that certain individuals are born with innate qualities such as charisma, intelligence, and assertiveness, which make them natural leaders.
Advocates of this perspective often refer to historical figures and influential leaders who have displayed exceptional leadership skills from a young age.
Nurtured Perspective:
The nurtured perspective argues that leadership can be developed through learning, experience, and deliberate practice.
This view emphasizes the importance of education, training, mentorship, and exposure to diverse leadership opportunities in shaping effective leaders.
Scholars who support this perspective believe that anyone can acquire leadership skills with the right guidance and dedication.
Leadership Styles:
Different leadership styles, such as transformational, transactional, autocratic, and democratic, offer insights into the nature versus nurture debate.
Transformational leadership, characterized by inspiring and motivating followers, aligns more closely with the nurtured perspective as it requires the development of specific skills and behaviors.
Transactional leadership, based on a system of rewards and punishments, can be seen as aligning more with the innate perspective as it relies on the leader’s inherent ability to create and enforce structures.
Leadership Theories:
Various leadership theories provide additional perspectives on the nature versus nurture debate.
Trait theories suggest that certain inherited traits, such as intelligence or extroversion, contribute to effective leadership. This supports the innate perspective.
Behavioral theories focus on learned behaviors and actions, suggesting that leadership can be developed through observation, imitation, and practice. This aligns with the nurtured perspective.
Scholarly Views:
Scholars have offered diverse viewpoints on the nature versus nurture debate in leadership.
Some argue for a combination of both innate traits and nurtured skills, acknowledging that while certain predispositions may exist, effective leadership requires continuous development.
Others emphasize the importance of environmental factors and social contexts in shaping leadership abilities, suggesting that leadership is primarily nurtured.
Conclusion: The debate surrounding whether leadership is innate or nurtured is complex and multifaceted. While some theorists emphasize the role of inherent qualities in effective leadership, others contend that anyone can develop leadership skills through education and experience. Existing leadership styles, theories, and scholarly perspectives provide valuable insights into this dichotomy. Ultimately, it is evident that both nature and nurture contribute to leadership development. Recognizing and appreciating the interplay between innate traits and nurtured skills is crucial for fostering effective leadership in individuals and organizations alike.
