https://onlinelearning.confederationcollege.ca/articulate/AD101/Unit1/story.html
Questions What do you think about working in partnership with clients as opposed to being the expert?What do you think about the emphasis in MI on honouring the person’s autonomy, that each person gest to ultimately decide for themselves whether to change or not?How is it for you to work with people who don’t seem to want to change even when you strongly believe they need to? What helps you to honour people’s autonomy in such cases?
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
Reflecting on Partnership and Autonomy in Client Relationships
The field of counseling and social work has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from a traditional expert-client dynamic to a more collaborative partnership model. This shift has profound implications for how we approach client relationships, particularly in the context of Motivational Interviewing (MI). Below, I will explore the value of working in partnership with clients, the importance of honoring autonomy, the challenges of working with resistant individuals, and strategies to maintain respect for autonomy in such situations.
Working in Partnership with Clients
Working in partnership with clients signifies a departure from the traditional expert model where professionals dictate solutions. Instead, it emphasizes collaboration, respect, and shared decision-making. This approach recognizes that clients are not passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in their own journeys.
In a partnership model, professionals leverage their expertise to guide and support clients, but they also acknowledge the unique experiences and knowledge that clients bring to the table. This collaborative dynamic fosters trust and engagement, empowering clients to take ownership of their choices. When clients feel heard and valued, they are often more motivated to pursue change because they see it as a shared goal rather than a directive imposed upon them.
Honoring Autonomy in Motivational Interviewing
One of the core principles of Motivational Interviewing is the emphasis on honoring a person’s autonomy. This principle asserts that each individual has the right to make their own decisions regarding change. Such respect for autonomy is crucial because it acknowledges that change is a deeply personal process that must align with an individual’s values, beliefs, and readiness.
Honoring autonomy does not imply a lack of guidance or support; rather, it means facilitating an environment where clients feel safe to explore their feelings about change. This approach is especially important because it can lead to more sustainable change. When clients feel empowered to make their own decisions, they are more likely to commit to those choices.
Navigating Resistance to Change
Working with individuals who appear resistant to change can be one of the most challenging aspects of counseling. It can be disheartening when one strongly believes that a client would benefit from change but faces reluctance or denial. In these situations, it’s essential to remember that resistance is often a natural part of the change process.
To honor a person’s autonomy while navigating resistance, I find it helpful to adopt a compassionate and non-judgmental stance. Listening actively to the client’s concerns and understanding their perspective can provide valuable insights into their hesitation. Instead of pushing for change, I focus on exploring their motivations, fears, and ambivalence about the situation.
Additionally, using reflective listening skills allows clients to articulate their thoughts and feelings, often leading them to insights about their circumstances. This technique not only respects their autonomy but also encourages them to consider the possibility of change at their own pace.
Strategies for Honoring Autonomy
When working with individuals who seem unmotivated to change, several strategies can help maintain respect for their autonomy:
1. Empathetic Listening: Create a safe space for clients to express their thoughts without fear of judgment. This fosters trust and encourages open dialogue.
2. Explore Motivations: Engage clients in discussions about their values and goals. Understanding what matters most to them can illuminate pathways for potential change.
3. Normalize Ambivalence: Acknowledge that feeling torn about change is common and part of the process. This reduces pressure and helps clients feel more at ease.
4. Encourage Self-Reflection: Prompt clients to reflect on their experiences and consider the pros and cons of their current behavior versus potential changes.
5. Be Patient: Recognize that change is often a gradual process that may require time and repeated conversations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, working in partnership with clients while honoring their autonomy is essential for effective counseling. The shift from an expert-driven model to a collaborative approach enriches the therapeutic relationship and enhances the likelihood of meaningful change. While it can be challenging to work with clients who resist change, employing strategies that respect their autonomy fosters an environment conducive to exploration and growth. By embracing this philosophy, we not only empower our clients but also create a more compassionate and respectful counseling practice.
