Compare & Contrast two jobs structural engineer and architectural engineer
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
Comparing and Contrasting Structural Engineers and Architectural Engineers
Introduction
In the realm of engineering and architecture, structural engineers and architectural engineers both play pivotal roles in the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure. While their responsibilities may overlap in certain areas, each profession has distinct focuses, skills, and contributions to the built environment. This essay explores the similarities and differences between structural engineers and architectural engineers, highlighting their roles, educational requirements, and career prospects.
Definitions
– Structural Engineer: A structural engineer is a specialized civil engineer who focuses on designing and analyzing structures to ensure they can withstand various loads and forces. Their work includes assessing the strength, stability, and safety of structures such as bridges, buildings, and towers.
– Architectural Engineer: An architectural engineer is an engineer who applies engineering principles to the design and construction of buildings. Their focus is on integrating the architectural aesthetics with the engineering systems required for a building’s functionality, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.
Key Comparisons
1. Educational Background
– Structural Engineer: Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a focus on structural engineering. Many structural engineers pursue a master’s degree to specialize further and may obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) after passing relevant exams.
– Architectural Engineer: Usually holds a degree in architectural engineering or a related field, which combines concepts from both architecture and engineering. Like structural engineers, architectural engineers also pursue licensure as a PE but may focus on different areas of expertise depending on their interests.
2. Job Responsibilities
– Structural Engineer:
– Analyzes loads and stresses on structures.
– Designs structural components such as beams, columns, and foundations.
– Collaborates closely with architects to ensure that the structure aligns with architectural vision while meeting safety standards.
– Conducts site assessments to evaluate existing structures for renovation or retrofitting projects.
– Architectural Engineer:
– Designs building systems including HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.
– Works alongside architects to ensure that building systems are seamlessly integrated into the overall design.
– Focuses on the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings.
– Coordinates with other engineering disciplines to ensure that all systems function together harmoniously.
3. Focus Areas
– Structural Engineer: Primarily concerned with the integrity and safety of structures under various loads, including dead loads (permanent/static), live loads (temporary/dynamic), wind loads, and seismic forces.
– Architectural Engineer: Concentrates on the performance of building systems and how they relate to occupant comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. Their work often includes addressing issues such as acoustics, lighting, and environmental controls.
Key Contrasts
1. Design Perspective
– Structural Engineer: Focuses more on the functionality and safety of the structure itself. Their designs prioritize load-bearing capacity and resilience against physical forces.
– Architectural Engineer: Balances aesthetics with functionality. They ensure that engineering systems do not compromise the visual appeal of a building while maintaining operational efficiency.
2. Collaboration with Other Professionals
– Structural Engineer: Works closely with architects and construction teams to ensure that the design can be safely constructed. They often provide input during the initial design phase but may have limited involvement in later stages.
– Architectural Engineer: More involved in the collaborative process throughout all stages of design and construction. They integrate various engineering disciplines into a cohesive building system from the outset.
3. Career Opportunities
– Structural Engineer: Often finds positions in civil engineering firms, government agencies, or construction companies focused on infrastructure projects. Opportunities may also exist in research or academia.
– Architectural Engineer: Typically works in architectural firms or specialized engineering firms that focus on building systems design. They may also find roles in sustainability consulting or energy efficiency analysis.
Conclusion
In summary, while structural engineers and architectural engineers both contribute significantly to the construction industry, their roles differ in focus, responsibilities, and collaboration styles. Structural engineers primarily concentrate on ensuring that buildings can withstand various forces safely, while architectural engineers emphasize integrating building systems within architectural designs for optimal functionality and comfort. Understanding these distinctions is vital for those pursuing careers in these fields or for clients seeking professional services for construction projects. Both professions are crucial in creating safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing structures that meet the needs of society.
