Pillars of Society Matrix

by | Jul 22, 2024 | sociology

Pillars of Society Matrix
Directions: Complete both parts of this assignment before submitting.
Part 1: Matrix
Instructions: Complete the matrix below using one to two scholarly sources to support your answers (you can use your textbook). You response in each cell/cube of the matrix needs to be a minimum of 100-150 words.

Politics Pillar
What have you read about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Use your textbook and other academic readings.)
What have you observed about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Draw upon your own personal experience.)
How does your community impact the pillars?
How has technology impacted each of the pillars?

Marriage and Family Pillar
What have you read about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Use your textbook and other academic readings.)
What have you observed about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Draw upon your own personal experience.)
How does your community impact the pillars?
How has technology impacted each of the pillars?

Religion Pillar
What have you read about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Use your textbook and other academic readings.)
What have you observed about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Draw upon your own personal experience.)
How does your community impact the pillars?
How has technology impacted each of the pillars?

Education Pillar
What have you read about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Use your textbook and other academic readings.)
What have you observed about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? (Draw upon your own personal experience.)
How does your community impact the pillars?
How has technology impacted each of the pillars?
Part 2: Summary
Instructions: Write a 100-150-word summary of your matrix.

 

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.


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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

Part 1: Pillars of Society Matrix

Pillar What have you read about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? What have you observed about how the economy impacts each of society’s pillars today? How does your community impact the pillars? How has technology impacted each of the pillars?
Politics Pillar The economy significantly influences political structures and decision-making processes. Economic inequality can lead to disparities in political representation, with wealthier individuals having more influence over policy-making (Piketty, 2014). Furthermore, economic crises often result in shifts in political power, as voters seek change in leadership during tough times. In my community, I’ve noticed how local businesses struggle during economic downturns, impacting the political landscape. Municipal elections often focus on economic recovery programs and business incentives, highlighting the direct connection between economic health and political priorities. My community engages in local governance through town hall meetings and public forums where economic issues are prioritized, shaping policy decisions that impact all pillars of society. Local government initiatives often promote small business growth, reflecting the community’s economic needs. Technology has transformed political engagement through social media and online platforms, enabling broader participation in political discussions. However, it has also raised concerns about misinformation that can sway public opinion and influence elections.
Marriage and Family Pillar The economy affects marriage and family structures by influencing individuals’ decisions about marriage and child-rearing. Economic stability often leads to increased marriage rates, while financial strain can contribute to higher divorce rates (Amato, 2000). Financial stress can also affect parenting styles and family dynamics. Personally, I’ve observed that friends who face financial instability tend to postpone marriage or having children due to worries about providing for a family. Economic factors play a crucial role in shaping family planning decisions and overall family health. In my community, economic conditions directly influence the availability of family services, such as counseling and childcare support. Local organizations often provide resources aimed at assisting families facing economic challenges, thereby impacting family structures positively. Technology has revolutionized family communication and relationships through social media and messaging apps, allowing families to maintain connections despite geographical distances. However, it can also lead to challenges in familial relationships due to distractions and reduced face-to-face interactions.
Religion Pillar The economy can impact religious institutions as financial resources determine their ability to serve communities. Economic downturns can lead to decreased donations, affecting programs offered by religious organizations (Baker & Smith, 2009). Conversely, strong economies may allow religious institutions to expand their services and outreach efforts. In my experience, during economic hardships, local churches have focused more on charitable works to support struggling families. This reflects how religious organizations adapt based on community economic conditions while fulfilling their missions to help others. My community’s religious institutions often provide essential services like food banks and support groups during tough economic times. This not only aids those in need but also strengthens community bonds through shared values of compassion and support. Technology has enabled religious institutions to reach wider audiences through online services and social media outreach. While this enhances accessibility to spiritual resources, it may also challenge traditional forms of worship and community engagement.
Education Pillar The economy plays a crucial role in shaping educational opportunities, funding, and resources available for schools (Orfield et al., 2014). Economic disparities often lead to unequal access to quality education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting upward mobility for disadvantaged groups. Observing my local schools, I’ve seen that budget cuts due to economic downturns often lead to larger class sizes and fewer resources for students. This directly impacts the quality of education students receive, demonstrating the strong link between the economy and education outcomes. My community actively supports educational initiatives through local funding measures aimed at improving school facilities and resources. Community involvement in schools highlights the interconnectedness of local economies and educational quality. Technology has transformed education through online learning platforms and digital resources, making education more accessible but also highlighting disparities between those with access to technology and those without. This digital divide can exacerbate existing inequalities in educational outcomes.

Part 2: Summary

The matrix reveals that the economy profoundly impacts various pillars of society—politics, marriage and family, religion, and education—shaping structures, relationships, and opportunities within each domain. The political landscape is influenced by economic factors such as inequality and financial crises, while personal experiences highlight how economic stability affects marriage rates and family dynamics. In religious contexts, financial resources determine the scope of services offered by institutions, while communities often rally around supporting those in need during tough economic times. Education is similarly affected; budget constraints lead to disparities in quality and access. Additionally, technology serves as a double-edged sword across all pillars, enhancing communication and accessibility but also revealing inequities that need addressing. Overall, these interconnections illustrate the intricate relationship between the economy and society’s foundational structures.

 

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