Write an essay about cause and effect of discrimination to people
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
Title: The Cause and Effect of Discrimination on Individuals and Society
Introduction:
Discrimination is a pervasive issue that continues to plague societies worldwide, causing significant harm to individuals and society as a whole. It is crucial to understand the causes and effects of discrimination in order to combat its negative impact. This essay will delve into the various factors that lead to discrimination and explore its far-reaching consequences on individuals and society.
Thesis Statement:
Discrimination is a complex issue with deep-rooted causes, and its effects can be devastating, leading to social division, eroded self-esteem, reduced opportunities, and hindered societal progress.
Body:
Causes of Discrimination:
a) Prejudice and Stereotyping: Discrimination often arises from prejudiced beliefs and stereotypes that individuals hold against certain groups based on race, religion, gender, or other characteristics. These biases are learned from societal influences, cultural norms, and personal experiences.
b) Lack of Education and Awareness: Ignorance and lack of exposure to diverse perspectives can contribute to discriminatory attitudes. Limited education about different cultures, religions, or social identities can perpetuate discriminatory behaviors.
c) Fear and Insecurity: Discrimination can stem from a fear of the unknown or an irrational belief that one group’s rights or privileges will be compromised by another. This fear often arises from a scarcity mentality or a perceived threat to one’s own social, economic, or political standing.
Effects of Discrimination:
a) Social Division: Discrimination creates division within society, fostering an “us versus them” mentality. It leads to the marginalization and exclusion of certain groups, perpetuating a cycle of inequality and hindering social cohesion.
b) Eroded Self-Esteem: Discrimination can profoundly impact an individual’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Constant exposure to discriminatory behaviors or remarks can lead to feelings of inferiority, shame, and psychological distress.
c) Reduced Opportunities: Discrimination limits individuals’ access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential opportunities. It hinders their ability to reach their full potential and contributes to systemic inequalities within society.
d) Hindered Societal Progress: Discrimination stifles innovation and progress by excluding diverse voices and ideas. When individuals are not given equal opportunities to contribute to society, it hampers collective growth and development.
Conclusion:
Discrimination is a deeply rooted issue with multifaceted causes that perpetuate harmful effects on individuals and society. By understanding the root causes of discrimination, such as prejudice, lack of education, and fear, we can work towards fostering awareness, empathy, and acceptance. Efforts must be made to challenge discriminatory beliefs, promote inclusivity, and create equal opportunities for all members of society. Only through collective action can we build a more inclusive and equitable world that values the inherent worth and dignity of every individual.
