Is Beauty disappearing from the world? Essay Guidance: read the materials for Week 10 of the course. The question is a reference to the work of Roger Scruton. You should also consider how other philosophers reflect on beauty e.g. Plato and David Hume.
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 Concept of Beauty in Philosophy: A Critical Examination
Introduction
The question of whether beauty is disappearing from the world invokes a profound philosophical discourse on aesthetics and the perception of beauty. Drawing insights from the works of philosophers such as Roger Scruton, Plato, and David Hume, this essay aims to explore the evolving notion of beauty and its significance in contemporary society.
Roger Scruton’s Perspective
Roger Scruton, a prominent philosopher, delves into the concept of beauty as a transcendental value that shapes our perception of the world. Scruton argues that beauty is not merely subjective but holds an objective reality that enriches human experience. In today’s fast-paced and materialistic world, Scruton’s concern about the erosion of beauty resonates with the commodification of aesthetics and the loss of genuine appreciation for the sublime.
Plato’s Theory of Forms
Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher, introduced the theory of Forms, positing that beauty is an ideal, transcendent form that exists independently of physical manifestations. According to Plato, beauty is eternal and immutable, serving as a source of inspiration and aspiration for humanity. In the contemporary context, Plato’s emphasis on the enduring nature of beauty prompts reflection on whether modern society adequately values timeless aesthetic principles.
David Hume’s Empirical Philosophy
David Hume, a Scottish philosopher, offered a contrasting view on beauty by emphasizing subjective sentiment and individual perception. Hume’s empirical approach suggests that beauty is contingent upon personal experiences and cultural contexts, leading to diverse interpretations and preferences. In the context of the question posed, Hume’s perspective raises questions about the fluidity of beauty standards and the impact of cultural shifts on aesthetic values.
Reflection on Contemporary Beauty
In the digital age characterized by instant gratification and virtual realities, the notion of beauty undergoes constant redefinition and reinterpretation. The proliferation of social media platforms and mass consumerism has both democratized and diluted the concept of beauty, blurring the lines between authenticity and artifice. The pursuit of perfection and superficial ideals often overshadow genuine expressions of beauty grounded in authenticity and depth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of whether beauty is disappearing from the world prompts a philosophical inquiry into the essence of aesthetics and its evolving significance. Through the perspectives of philosophers like Roger Scruton, Plato, and David Hume, we navigate the complexities of beauty as a multifaceted concept that transcends temporal boundaries. As we navigate the nuances of contemporary beauty standards, it is imperative to reflect on the enduring values of beauty that enrich our lives and connect us to the sublime aspects of existence. Beauty may not be disappearing from the world but rather undergoing a metamorphosis that challenges us to rediscover its essence in a rapidly changing landscape.
