Write and submit a 5-7 page research paper in APA format about color perception.
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 Fascinating World of Color Perception: Unveiling the Mechanisms behind Human Visual Experience
Abstract
Color perception is a captivating and intricate aspect of human visual experience. This research paper explores the mechanisms behind color perception, delving into the biological, psychological, and cultural factors that contribute to our understanding of colors. By examining the role of cones in the retina, the processing of visual information in the brain, and the influence of context and culture on color perception, this paper aims to shed light on the complexity and subjectivity of color perception.
Introduction
Color perception plays a crucial role in our daily lives, impacting our emotions, behavior, and decision-making processes. While we often take color for granted, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. This research paper seeks to explore the various aspects of color perception, including the biological basis, psychological factors, and cultural influences that shape our understanding of colors.
Biological Basis of Color Perception
The biological basis of color perception lies in the specialized cells within our eyes called cones. Cones are responsible for detecting different wavelengths of light and transmitting this information to the brain. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different ranges of wavelengths: red, green, and blue. The combination of the signals received from these cones enables our brain to perceive a wide spectrum of colors.
Processing of Visual Information in the Brain
Once the cones transmit information to the brain, the visual cortex processes this information to create our visual experience of colors. The brain’s neural pathways play a crucial role in color perception, as they interpret and assign meaning to different wavelengths of light. Additionally, the processing of visual information is influenced by other cognitive processes, such as attention and memory, which further shape our perception of colors.
Psychological Factors in Color Perception
While the biological mechanisms are essential in color perception, psychological factors also significantly impact how we perceive colors. One such factor is color constancy, which refers to our ability to perceive colors consistently despite changes in lighting conditions. The phenomenon of color constancy is evidence that our perception of colors is not solely determined by the physical properties of objects but is influenced by our cognitive processes.
Furthermore, studies have shown that emotions can influence color perception. For example, individuals in a positive emotional state tend to perceive colors as brighter and more vivid compared to those in a negative emotional state. This connection between emotions and color perception suggests a bidirectional relationship where colors can also evoke specific emotions.
Cultural Influences on Color Perception
Color perception is not solely based on biology and psychology but is also influenced by cultural factors. Different cultures have distinct associations with colors, which can impact how individuals perceive and interpret them. For instance, while red symbolizes love and passion in Western cultures, it represents luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. These cultural associations with colors can result in variations in color preferences and interpretations across different societies.
Conclusion
Color perception is a multifaceted phenomenon that involves a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors. The intricate interplay between cones in the retina, neural pathways in the brain, psychological processes, and cultural influences all contribute to our unique and subjective experiences of color. By understanding these mechanisms, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of color perception and its profound impact on our lives. Further research in this field holds potential for advancements in various disciplines ranging from psychology to design and marketing.
