Write an essay about Should children have cellphones in school?
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
Should Children Have Cellphones in School?
Introduction
In today’s digital age, cellphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. It is no surprise that children are increasingly using cellphones for various purposes, including communication, accessing educational resources, and entertainment. However, the question arises: should children have cellphones in school? This essay will explore the pros and cons of allowing children to have cellphones in school and argue that when used responsibly, cellphones can be valuable tools that enhance learning and communication.
The Benefits of Cellphones in School
There are several advantages to allowing children to have cellphones in school:
1. Communication and Safety
Cellphones provide a convenient means of communication between parents, teachers, and students. In case of emergencies or unexpected situations, parents can quickly reach their children and vice versa. Moreover, cellphones enable schools to send important announcements and alerts to parents and students promptly, ensuring a safer and more efficient communication system.
2. Access to Educational Resources
With cellphones, students can access a wealth of educational resources, such as e-books, online research materials, educational apps, and interactive learning platforms. These resources can supplement classroom learning and provide students with opportunities for independent exploration and self-paced learning.
3. Digital Literacy Skills
In today’s technology-driven world, digital literacy skills are essential for success. Allowing children to use cellphones in school can help them develop these skills from an early age. They can learn how to navigate digital platforms responsibly, evaluate online information, collaborate digitally, and use productivity tools effectively.
4. Classroom Engagement and Organization
Cellphones can enhance classroom engagement by enabling interactive learning experiences. For instance, teachers can incorporate educational games, quizzes, and polls using cellphone-based learning platforms. Additionally, students can use their cellphones for note-taking, setting reminders for assignments and deadlines, and organizing their schedules more efficiently.
The Drawbacks of Cellphones in School
While there are benefits to having cellphones in school, there are also valid concerns that need to be addressed:
1. Distraction and Inappropriate Use
Cellphones can be distracting for students if not used responsibly. Students may be tempted to engage in non-educational activities like playing games, scrolling through social media, or sending text messages during class time. This can negatively impact their focus, attention span, and overall academic performance.
2. Cyberbullying and Online Safety
Cellphones provide a platform for cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. Students may misuse cellphones to bully or harass their peers, leading to negative social and emotional consequences. Additionally, there is a risk of students accessing inappropriate or harmful content online if not properly supervised.
3. Equity Issues
Not all students have access to smartphones or reliable internet connectivity at home. Allowing cellphones in school may exacerbate the digital divide between students who can afford smartphones and those who cannot. It is important to ensure that access to educational resources through cellphones does not create disparities among students.
Finding a Balance
To address the drawbacks while harnessing the benefits of cellphones in school, a balanced approach is necessary:
Establish Clear Policies: Schools should have clear policies regarding cellphone use during class time. Teachers can set guidelines on when and how cellphones can be used for educational purposes while discouraging non-educational activities.
Digital Citizenship Education: It is crucial to educate students about responsible cellphone use, including online safety, digital etiquette, and the consequences of inappropriate behavior. Incorporating digital citizenship education into the curriculum can empower students to make responsible choices.
Monitoring and Filtering Systems: Schools should implement monitoring and filtering systems to ensure that students are accessing appropriate content on their cellphones. These systems can help prevent cyberbullying incidents and protect students from harmful content.
Promote Alternative Learning Tools: While cellphones are valuable tools, it is essential to provide students with other learning resources as well. This includes access to computers, libraries, textbooks, and hands-on materials to ensure equitable access to education for all students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, allowing children to have cellphones in school can offer numerous benefits when used responsibly. Cellphones facilitate communication and safety, provide access to educational resources, enhance digital literacy skills, and improve classroom engagement and organization. However, concerns about distraction, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and equity issues need to be addressed through clear policies, digital citizenship education, monitoring systems, and alternative learning tools. By finding a balance between the advantages and drawbacks of cellphones in school, we can harness their potential as valuable educational tools that enhance learning and communication for children.
