This essay should be 500-800 words. It should detail your reflection on virtue ethics as it is covered in Chapter 3 of the textbook. Discuss how these concepts influence your personal view and practice of virtue ethics in your life. Refer to whichever theory most resonates with you and explain how you can apply the theory to your life in order to become a better person.
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 Virtue Ethics: A Path to Personal Growth and Moral Excellence
Virtue ethics, as discussed in Chapter 3 of our textbook, revolves around the idea of cultivating virtuous character traits to guide moral decision-making. This ethical framework emphasizes the importance of developing good habits and traits that lead to a virtuous and fulfilled life. In this essay, I will delve into how the concepts of virtue ethics have influenced my personal views and practices, focusing on the theory of Aristotelian virtue ethics and how it resonates with me. I will also explore how I can apply this theory to my life to enhance my moral character and strive towards becoming a better person.
Understanding Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics, unlike other ethical theories such as deontology or utilitarianism, places emphasis on the inherent character of an individual rather than focusing on rules or consequences. According to Aristotle, a renowned philosopher in virtue ethics, virtues are those character traits that enable individuals to flourish and live a good life. These virtues, such as courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice, are cultivated through practice and habituation.
Influence on Personal Views and Practices
The concept of virtue ethics has significantly influenced my personal views and practices in navigating moral dilemmas and making ethical decisions. Instead of relying solely on external rules or outcomes, I have come to value the importance of developing my character and cultivating virtues that guide my actions. For instance, when faced with a situation where honesty is paramount, I strive to embody the virtue of truthfulness rather than simply adhering to a rule that mandates honesty.
Resonance with Aristotelian Virtue Ethics
Among the various forms of virtue ethics, Aristotelian virtue ethics resonates with me the most. Aristotle believed that virtues lie in finding the right balance between extremes, known as the doctrine of the mean. For instance, courage is the mean between recklessness and cowardice. This nuanced approach to virtues aligns with my belief in moderation and balance in all aspects of life.
Application to Personal Growth
To apply Aristotelian virtue ethics to my life and become a better person, I strive to cultivate specific virtues that I believe are essential for moral excellence. For instance, I focus on cultivating the virtue of courage by facing challenges with resilience and determination while avoiding extremes of rashness or timidity. By practicing courage in my daily life, whether it be speaking up against injustice or taking risks to pursue my goals, I aim to strengthen this virtue within myself.
Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of cultivating wisdom through reflection and learning from experiences. By seeking knowledge and understanding, I can make more informed decisions that align with virtuous principles. Additionally, I aim to practice temperance by exercising self-control and moderation in my actions and desires, avoiding excesses that may lead to moral pitfalls.
Conclusion
In conclusion, virtue ethics offers a profound framework for personal growth and moral development by emphasizing the cultivation of virtuous character traits. The concepts discussed in Chapter 3 of our textbook have shaped my views and practices, leading me to prioritize character development over rigid rules or outcomes. By embracing Aristotelian virtue ethics and applying its principles to my life, I strive towards becoming a better person grounded in moral excellence and virtuous living.
