Read the chapter “Crime by Any Other Name,” in which Jeffrey Reiman challenges conventional thinking about what constitutes crime.
Watch the PBS Frontline video A Dangerous Business–Revisited and read the news articles, originally published in 2003, that inspired the documentary.
Write a 3-5 page essay discussing the events presented in A Dangerous Business from the perspective of Jeffrey Reiman. Your essay should address the questions below. Support your argument with evidence/examples from the video and assigned readings.
How would Reiman define crime, if it were up to him? How would his definition differ from how we usually think about crime?
Reiman provides many examples of serious harm (i.e., injuries and deaths) that he believes really should be considered crimes, but that we don’t ordinarily think of as crimes—from injuries in the workplace, to environmental contamination, to medical malpractice, etc. (see pp. 84-101). Which of these “crimes by any other name” took place in McWane foundries? Be specific, and provide examples. (attached files will have the news articles)
From Reiman’s perspective, why should we treat these things as crimes, and not simply tragic accidents, or minor regulatory violations? Also, if they are crimes, who is to blame, the owners, plant managers, and/or supervisors? How culpable are they? Are others to blame?
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
Reimagining Crime: Jeffrey Reiman’s Perspective on “A Dangerous Business”
In his thought-provoking chapter “Crime by Any Other Name,” Jeffrey Reiman challenges conventional notions of what constitutes a crime. His alternative perspective prompts us to reevaluate our understanding of crime and its perpetrators. When examining the events presented in the PBS Frontline video “A Dangerous Business–Revisited,” we can view them through the lens of Reiman’s ideas. This essay will discuss how Reiman would define crime, how his definition differs from conventional thinking, the specific examples of “crimes by any other name” that occurred in McWane foundries, and the reasons why these events should be considered crimes and who should be held accountable.
According to Reiman, crime goes beyond the traditional understanding of illegal activities that harm individuals or property. He argues that crime should be defined as actions or inactions that cause serious harm, regardless of whether they are legally classified as crimes. Reiman challenges the prevailing notion that crime is solely limited to street crimes committed by individuals from marginalized backgrounds. Instead, he suggests that crimes can be committed by powerful institutions and individuals in positions of authority, such as corporations and government officials.
This definition of crime diverges from conventional thinking, which tends to focus on violations of specific laws and regulations. Reiman’s broader perspective encompasses a range of harmful actions that may not be explicitly categorized as crimes but have severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
In the McWane foundries case presented in “A Dangerous Business–Revisited,” several examples align with Reiman’s concept of “crimes by any other name.” These examples include:
Workplace Injuries: The documentary highlights numerous cases of severe workplace injuries that occurred at McWane foundries. Workers suffered amputations, burns, and other life-altering injuries due to unsafe working conditions and inadequate safety measures.
Environmental Contamination: McWane foundries were responsible for significant environmental contamination through the improper disposal of hazardous materials. This contamination posed health risks to both workers and nearby communities.
Medical Negligence: The company’s inadequate healthcare provisions and failure to address workers’ medical needs resulted in preventable deaths and serious health complications.
Reiman argues that these incidents should be considered crimes rather than mere accidents or minor regulatory violations. He emphasizes that these harms are not random occurrences but are often the result of systemic issues and deliberate choices made by those in positions of power. By labeling these actions as crimes, Reiman seeks to hold accountable the responsible parties who prioritize profits over the well-being and safety of workers.
In terms of culpability, Reiman assigns blame to various individuals within the McWane foundries. The owners, plant managers, and supervisors bear significant responsibility for their role in creating and perpetuating a culture of disregard for safety and well-being. They prioritize profit margins and production quotas over ensuring a safe working environment. Their decisions and actions contribute directly to the harm experienced by workers.
However, Reiman also acknowledges that others within the organization may share some degree of blame. This could include employees who turn a blind eye to safety violations or fail to report concerns due to fear of repercussions or job loss. Additionally, regulatory agencies and government officials who neglect their responsibility to enforce adequate workplace safety standards also share culpability.
In conclusion, Reiman’s perspective on crime challenges conventional thinking by expanding the definition beyond legal classifications. When analyzing the events presented in “A Dangerous Business–Revisited,” we can see how Reiman’s ideas apply. Workplace injuries, environmental contamination, and medical negligence observed at McWane foundries align with his concept of “crimes by any other name.” Reiman argues that these incidents should be treated as crimes rather than accidents or minor regulatory violations due to their severe impact on individuals’ well-being and society as a whole. The owners, plant managers, supervisors, and even regulatory agencies bear varying degrees of responsibility for these crimes. By adopting Reiman’s perspective, we can foster a more comprehensive understanding of crime and hold those in power accountable for their actions that cause serious harm.
