What are social problems and how can they contribute to social change? Select one social problem and discuss in detail on they contribute to social change.
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
Social Problems: Catalysts for Social Change
Introduction
Social problems are issues or conditions that affect a significant number of individuals within a society and hinder the well-being and progress of its members. These problems can range from poverty and inequality to discrimination and environmental degradation. While social problems often result in negative consequences for individuals and communities, they can also serve as catalysts for social change. This essay will focus on one specific social problem, namely gender inequality, and explore how it contributes to social change.
Gender Inequality: A Social Problem
Gender inequality refers to the unequal treatment or perception of individuals based on their gender. It encompasses various aspects such as unequal access to education, employment opportunities, healthcare, and political representation. Despite advancements in gender equality over the years, women continue to face discrimination and disparities in many societies worldwide. Gender inequality is a pervasive social problem that not only affects women but also has wider implications for society as a whole.
The Role of Gender Inequality in Social Change
Awareness and Advocacy: Gender inequality sparks awareness and advocacy efforts that aim to address this social problem. Individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting gender equality raise awareness about the unjust treatment faced by women and girls, highlighting the need for change. Through campaigns, protests, and media attention, these advocates bring the issue to the forefront of public consciousness, fueling momentum for social change.
Laws and Policies: Gender inequality serves as a catalyst for the creation and implementation of laws and policies aimed at promoting gender equality. The existence of disparities in areas such as education, employment, and healthcare necessitates legal frameworks that address these imbalances. Governments and international bodies develop policies and legislation to rectify discrimination, ensuring equal opportunities for all genders.
Empowerment and Education: The persistence of gender inequality motivates efforts to empower women and girls through education and skills training. Recognizing education as a powerful tool for empowerment, initiatives are launched to provide girls with equal access to quality education. By equipping women with knowledge, skills, and confidence, gender inequality is challenged, leading to social change.
Changing Cultural Norms: Gender inequality challenges traditional cultural norms and beliefs that perpetuate discriminatory practices. As societies become more aware of the negative impact of gender inequality, attitudes begin to shift. Through dialogue, education, and exposure to diverse perspectives, cultural norms surrounding gender roles and expectations can evolve, promoting greater equality.
Economic Advancement: Addressing gender inequality can contribute to economic growth and development. Numerous studies have shown that societies benefiting from gender equality experience improved productivity, increased innovation, and better overall economic outcomes. Recognizing this correlation, policymakers are increasingly motivated to address gender inequalities to harness the economic benefits associated with social change.
Conclusion
Social problems like gender inequality play a crucial role in driving social change. By highlighting injustices and disparities within society, they create awareness, spur advocacy efforts, and prompt the development of policies and programs aimed at rectifying the issue. Gender inequality specifically contributes to social change through various avenues such as awareness campaigns, legal frameworks, empowerment initiatives, cultural transformation, and economic advancement. By addressing gender inequality, societies can progress towards a more just and equitable future for all its members.
