If we cant measure it, it doesnt exist. This is a popular saying in the world of science. To measure the magnitude and prevalence of a crime problem, criminologists have formulated different ways to measure crime (i.e., self surveys, secondary analysis, review of official arrest records, and victim surverys). The readings from weak 4 speaks to the strengths and weakenesses of these methods. In 850 words or more, please 1) tell me which method is most accurate and why, what are the limitations of each method, and what are the strengths of each.
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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
The Accuracy and Limitations of Different Crime Measurement Methods
In the field of criminology, the measurement of crime is essential for understanding the prevalence and nature of criminal activities within society. Various methods have been developed to measure crime, each with its strengths and limitations. This essay will discuss the accuracy of different crime measurement methods, their limitations, and strengths.
Official Arrest Records
Official arrest records are often considered one of the most straightforward methods for measuring crime. These records provide a quantitative account of reported crimes that have led to arrests by law enforcement agencies. The accuracy of this method lies in the fact that it offers concrete data on criminal activities that have been deemed severe or significant enough to warrant arrest.
However, official arrest records also come with limitations. One major limitation is that not all crimes result in arrests. Many factors, such as the presence of witnesses, police priorities, and the willingness of victims to report crimes, can influence whether an arrest is made. Therefore, official arrest records may not capture the full extent of criminal activities within a community.
Self-Report Surveys
Self-report surveys involve asking individuals about their involvement in criminal activities. This method allows researchers to gather data directly from the individuals engaging in criminal behavior, providing insights into offenses that may not have been reported to law enforcement. Self-report surveys are particularly useful for measuring crimes that are underreported or those involving minor offenses.
However, self-report surveys also have limitations. Individuals may be hesitant to admit to illegal behavior due to social desirability bias or fear of legal consequences. As a result, the accuracy of self-report surveys can be compromised by issues of honesty and reliability.
Secondary Data Analysis
Secondary data analysis involves examining existing data sources, such as crime reports, surveys, or other research studies, to draw conclusions about crime patterns. This method allows researchers to utilize a wide range of data sources to analyze crime trends and patterns over time.
One limitation of secondary data analysis is that the quality and consistency of the data can vary across different sources. Researchers must carefully assess the reliability and validity of the data they are using to ensure accurate results. Additionally, researchers may face challenges in accessing relevant data sets, which can impact the effectiveness of this method.
Victim Surveys
Victim surveys involve interviewing individuals who have been victims of crime to gather information about their experiences. These surveys provide valuable insights into crimes that may not have been reported to law enforcement and offer a different perspective on crime prevalence.
One limitation of victim surveys is that they rely on individuals’ willingness to participate and disclose their experiences. Victims may be reluctant to share details of their victimization due to trauma, privacy concerns, or other factors. As a result, victim surveys may not capture a comprehensive picture of crime within a community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each method of measuring crime has its own strengths and limitations. Official arrest records offer concrete data but may not capture all criminal activities. Self-report surveys provide insights into underreported crimes but are subject to issues of honesty. Secondary data analysis allows for a broad examination of crime trends but relies on data quality and availability. Victim surveys offer a unique perspective on crime but depend on victims’ willingness to participate.
Overall, no single method can provide a complete and accurate picture of crime. By utilizing a combination of these methods and considering their respective strengths and limitations, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of criminal activities within society.
