Some scientists think that there are intelligent life forms on other planets and messages should be sent to contact them. Other scientists think it is a bad idea and would be dangerous. Discuss both views and give your opinion
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 Debate on Contacting Intelligent Life Forms: Balancing Exploration and Caution
Introduction
The question of whether to send messages to potential intelligent life forms on other planets has sparked a lively debate among scientists, with proponents advocating for interstellar communication and detractors warning of potential dangers. This essay will explore both perspectives and offer a balanced analysis of the risks and benefits associated with contacting extraterrestrial civilizations.
Proponents of Interstellar Communication
Scientific Curiosity
– Advocates argue that reaching out to alien civilizations could provide valuable insights into the diversity of life forms in the universe and advance our understanding of astrobiology.
– The exchange of knowledge and ideas with advanced extraterrestrial beings could potentially accelerate scientific and technological progress on Earth.
Interstellar Diplomacy
– Proponents believe that establishing communication with alien civilizations could foster interstellar cooperation, promote peace, and expand humanity’s cosmic perspective.
– By initiating peaceful contact with intelligent life forms, humans may demonstrate their willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue and collaboration on a galactic scale.
Detractors of Interstellar Communication
Potential Risks
– Opponents caution that broadcasting messages into space could attract hostile or technologically superior alien species with unknown intentions, posing a significant risk to Earth’s safety and security.
– The unintended consequences of making our presence known to potentially predatory extraterrestrial civilizations could lead to unforeseen conflicts or exploitation.
Ethical Concerns
– Critics raise ethical dilemmas surrounding the consent of all human beings to represent Earth in interstellar communications, as well as the potential cultural impacts on indigenous populations and future generations.
– The lack of a universal protocol or governance framework for interstellar messaging raises questions about accountability, decision-making processes, and the implications of unilateral actions.
Opinion and Conclusion
While the idea of contacting intelligent life forms on other planets is undoubtedly intriguing and holds the promise of expanding our cosmic horizons, caution must be exercised in navigating the unknown terrain of interstellar communication. As we venture into the realm of potential extraterrestrial encounters, it is essential to strike a delicate balance between scientific exploration and prudent risk management.
In my opinion, the pursuit of interstellar communication should be guided by a thoughtful and collaborative approach that considers the diverse perspectives within the scientific community, evaluates the potential risks and benefits comprehensively, and prioritizes ethical considerations and safety protocols. By engaging in informed discussions, conducting thorough risk assessments, and establishing international consensus on interstellar messaging protocols, humanity can embark on a responsible and mindful exploration of the cosmos while safeguarding our collective interests and preserving our planet’s security.
