Let us examine the supernatural and how it plays into our lives.
After reading Magic, Skepticism, & Belief,why do you believe people genuinely feel they have powers or a connection to present/represent the supernatural?
What are the functional aspects of paranormal beliefs based on the Adaptive Value of Paranormal Beliefs reading? Do you agree? Why or why not?
Why do you believe people are drawn to the supernatural and how do the stories you read this week represent this? What supernatural things do you believe in (ghosts, ESP, fortune tellers, etc.)?
Do you think that there is truth behind superstitions and do you believe that everything can be explained rationally or do some phenomena defy scientific explanation?
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 Allure of the Supernatural in Human Experience
Connection to the Supernatural
People often feel they have powers or a connection to the supernatural due to a combination of psychological, cultural, and social factors. Many individuals seek meaning in their lives and look for explanations beyond the mundane. Experiences that seem unexplainable or extraordinary can create a sense of wonder and belonging to something greater than themselves. This desire is amplified by personal experiences, such as moments of intuition or unexplained coincidences, which can reinforce beliefs in supernatural connections.
Moreover, cultural narratives and societal norms often glorify or validate the existence of supernatural abilities. Individuals may be influenced by folklore, religion, or media representations of the supernatural, leading them to believe in their own potential for magical or paranormal experiences.
Functional Aspects of Paranormal Beliefs
According to the reading “Adaptive Value of Paranormal Beliefs,” paranormal beliefs can serve several functional aspects:
1. Coping Mechanism: Beliefs in the supernatural can provide comfort during difficult times. For instance, believing in an afterlife can help individuals cope with grief or loss.
2. Social Cohesion: Shared beliefs in supernatural phenomena can foster community and strengthen bonds among individuals. This social aspect can enhance group identity and support networks.
3. Cognitive Closure: Paranormal beliefs can offer explanations for life’s uncertainties and complexities, providing cognitive closure in situations where rational answers are not readily available.
I find myself agreeing with these functional aspects because they align with psychological theories about belief systems and their roles in human behavior. People often turn to beliefs that help them navigate uncertainty and promote psychological well-being. These beliefs can serve as tools for understanding and interpreting the world around them, even when they may not align with empirical evidence.
Attraction to the Supernatural
People are drawn to the supernatural for various reasons, including curiosity, fear of the unknown, and the quest for meaning. Supernatural narratives often tap into fundamental human emotions and existential questions, making them compelling across cultures and generations. The stories explored this week illustrate this draw through their themes of mystery, morality, and the unknown. They provide a lens through which people can explore their fears, hopes, and the boundaries of human experience.
As for my beliefs, I find myself open to the possibility of certain supernatural phenomena, such as ghosts or intuition (ESP). While I approach these beliefs with skepticism, I acknowledge that there are experiences that feel profound or inexplicable. I believe that personal experiences can shape one’s openness to these concepts.
Truth Behind Superstitions
Regarding superstitions, I think that some may have origins rooted in historical or cultural practices that were once rational but have since evolved into symbolic rituals. While many superstitions may not hold empirical truth, they often provide individuals with comfort or a sense of control over their lives.
I believe that while many phenomena can be explained rationally through scientific inquiry, there are aspects of human experience—emotions, consciousness, and some paranormal claims—that may defy current scientific explanation. This does not mean they are inherently true but suggests that our understanding of reality is still evolving.
In conclusion, the interplay between the supernatural and human experience is complex and multifaceted. Whether through coping mechanisms, social cohesion, or personal meaning, beliefs in the supernatural continue to play a significant role in our lives.
