What are the long-term psychological and social outcomes for patients who undergo cosmetic versus reconstructive surgery?
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
Long-Term Psychological and Social Outcomes of Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Surgery
Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries serve different purposes but share the common goal of improving an individual’s appearance or functionality. However, the long-term psychological and social outcomes of patients who undergo these procedures can vary significantly. This essay explores the psychological well-being, social perceptions, and overall quality of life for patients who have undergone cosmetic versus reconstructive surgery.
Psychological Outcomes
Cosmetic Surgery
Patients who opt for cosmetic surgery often seek to enhance their physical appearance, which they believe will improve their self-esteem and confidence. Research indicates that many individuals experience positive psychological outcomes post-surgery, including increased self-esteem and body image satisfaction. A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that patients reported significant improvements in self-esteem and overall psychological well-being after cosmetic procedures (Sarwer et al., 2019). However, these benefits can be tempered by unrealistic expectations and societal pressures. Some patients may develop body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or experience dissatisfaction, leading to mental health challenges if the results do not meet their expectations.
Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery is typically performed to restore form and function after trauma, illness, or congenital defects. Patients undergoing reconstructive procedures often experience significant psychological relief as these surgeries can alleviate feelings of shame, stigma, or social isolation associated with physical deformities. Research shows that patients who undergo reconstructive surgery report improved quality of life and satisfaction with their appearance and functionality (Elder et al., 2018). The psychological outcomes tend to be more positive due to the surgery’s functional benefits, such as improving mobility or restoring facial features after cancer treatment.
Social Outcomes
Cosmetic Surgery
The social implications of cosmetic surgery can be profound. While some patients may enjoy increased social acceptance or improved relationships following surgery, others may face criticism or alienation from peers who disapprove of cosmetic enhancements. Additionally, societal standards for beauty can lead to pressure to maintain certain appearances, contributing to stress and anxiety (Dittmar, 2009). The impact of social media cannot be overlooked, as platforms often promote unrealistic beauty standards that can influence how individuals perceive themselves and their surgeries.
Reconstructive Surgery
Conversely, patients who undergo reconstructive surgery often report improved social interactions and reintegration into society after their procedures. Successful reconstructive surgeries can lead to enhanced social acceptance and reduced stigma associated with physical deformities (Katz et al., 2020). Relationships with family and friends can improve as individuals regain confidence and are able to participate more fully in social activities. The ability to interact without the burden of physical limitations can significantly enhance one’s social life.
Quality of Life Considerations
Both types of surgery can lead to improvements in quality of life; however, the nature of these improvements can differ. Cosmetic surgery often focuses on aesthetic enhancement, while reconstructive surgery emphasizes restoring function and alleviating physical and emotional burdens. Long-term studies suggest that while many cosmetic surgery patients report satisfaction with their results, some may still struggle with underlying psychological issues not resolved by surgery alone (Pawlowski et al., 2019).
Conclusion
In summary, both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries can lead to positive psychological and social outcomes; however, the nature of these outcomes varies between the two types of procedures. Cosmetic surgery often improves self-esteem but may also carry risks related to unrealistic expectations and societal pressures. In contrast, reconstructive surgery generally yields more substantial improvements in psychological well-being and social acceptance due to its focus on restoring function and form after trauma or illness. Understanding these differences is crucial for healthcare providers in managing patient expectations and providing comprehensive care.
References
– Dittmar, H. (2009). How do “body image” and “self-esteem” predict the use of cosmetic surgery? Journal of Aesthetic Surgery.
– Elder, E., et al. (2018). Psychological outcomes after reconstructive surgery: A systematic review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
– Katz, M., et al. (2020). Social reintegration after reconstructive surgery: Qualitative findings. Annals of Plastic Surgery.
– Pawlowski, J. et al. (2019). Long-term outcomes of cosmetic surgery: A review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
– Sarwer, D. B., et al. (2019). Psychological outcomes of cosmetic surgery: A review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
