Identifythe professional code of ethics for your professional specialty or aspecialty that you are interested in, describe the decision criteria,and analyze each theory using examples and the Ethical Theory 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.
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
Professional Code of Ethics in Nursing
Introduction
The nursing profession is guided by a set of ethical principles that ensure nurses provide safe, effective, and compassionate care. The American Nurses Association (ANA) outlines the Code of Ethics for Nurses, which serves as a foundational document for ethical practice in nursing. This code encompasses the values and responsibilities that nurses hold towards their patients, communities, and the profession itself.
Professional Code of Ethics for Nursing
The ANA’s Code of Ethics consists of nine provisions that outline the ethical commitments of nurses. Here are a few key provisions:
1. Respect for Human Dignity: Nurses must respect the inherent worth, dignity, and rights of all individuals.
2. Commitment to Patient: The primary commitment of a nurse is to the patient, promoting health and well-being.
3. Advocacy: Nurses advocate for the rights, health, and safety of patients.
4. Accountability: Nurses are accountable for their actions and the outcomes of their care.
5. Collaboration: Nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient care.
Decision Criteria
When faced with ethical dilemmas, nurses can utilize the following decision criteria:
– Patient Autonomy: Respecting a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their own care.
– Beneficence: Acting in the best interest of the patient to promote good and prevent harm.
– Non-maleficence: Avoiding actions that may cause harm to patients.
– Justice: Ensuring fairness in providing care and distributing resources.
Ethical Theories and Analysis
To analyze ethical dilemmas in nursing, we can apply several ethical theories:
1. Deontological Ethics
Deontological ethics focuses on adherence to rules or duties. According to this theory, actions are considered moral if they follow established rules or obligations.
– Example: A nurse must report any suspected abuse regardless of the circumstances surrounding the situation. This duty is a fundamental rule in nursing ethics.
2. Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism emphasizes the outcomes of actions, suggesting that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or minimizes suffering.
– Example: A nurse may prioritize resources for patients with the highest chance of recovery in a triage situation during a disaster, aiming to save as many lives as possible.
3. Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics focuses on the character and virtues of the individual making decisions rather than on rules or consequences. It emphasizes the importance of moral character.
– Example: A nurse who demonstrates compassion and empathy when caring for terminally ill patients exemplifies virtue ethics by embodying qualities that promote good care.
Ethical Theory Matrix
Theory Description Example in Nursing
Deontological Adherence to rules or duties; morality based on principles Reporting suspected abuse regardless of consequences
Utilitarianism Focus on outcomes; promote the greatest good for the greatest number Triage decisions during a disaster to save more lives
Virtue Ethics Emphasis on the character and virtues of the individual Demonstrating compassion in end-of-life care
Conclusion
Nurses operate within a complex ethical framework governed by professional codes of ethics. By understanding ethical theories such as deontological ethics, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics, nurses can navigate difficult situations more effectively. Utilizing decision criteria based on respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice allows nurses to make informed ethical decisions that prioritize patient care and uphold professional integrity. This framework not only guides individual practice but also strengthens the nursing profession’s commitment to ethical standards in healthcare.
