Death
Explain the death penalty in a global context.
Explain the statement; the death penalty in a global context, and describe the difference(s) and or support of the death penalty around the world as compared to the United States. Furthermore, what economic concerns impact the United States (U.S.) by mostly supporting the death penalty. Consider the following concepts to formulate your paper:
Criticism of the United States for supporting the death penalty and human rights, a contradiction of terms
The U.S. policy on the death penalty and world economic reform
The world trend toward abolition
Critically analyze and evaluate the death penalty topic listed above.
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 Global Perspective on the Death Penalty: A Critical Analysis
The death penalty remains a contentious issue worldwide, with varying perspectives and practices across different countries. In this paper, we will explore the global context of the death penalty, compare the stance of the United States to international trends, and examine the economic concerns influencing the U.S.’s support for capital punishment.
Understanding Global Perspectives on the Death Penalty:
In a global context, attitudes towards the death penalty range from staunch support to complete abolition. Many countries have abolished capital punishment, citing concerns about human rights violations and ethical considerations. The United Nations and other international bodies advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, viewing it as a violation of the right to life and human dignity.
Comparing the United States to Global Trends:
The United States stands out among developed nations for its continued support of the death penalty. While some states have abolished capital punishment, the U.S. remains one of the few Western democracies that actively executes individuals. This stance has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and foreign governments, who view the U.S.’s policy on the death penalty as contradictory to its stance on human rights.
Economic Concerns Impacting U.S. Support for the Death Penalty:
The economic implications of the death penalty play a significant role in shaping the U.S.’s stance on capital punishment. Proponents argue that executing prisoners is more cost-effective than life imprisonment, citing reduced prison expenses and deterrence effects. However, critics point out that lengthy appeals processes and legal fees associated with death penalty cases can incur substantial costs for taxpayers.
Critically Analyzing the Death Penalty Topic:
The debate surrounding the death penalty requires a nuanced evaluation of ethical, legal, and economic considerations. While some argue for the deterrence effect of capital punishment, others emphasize the risk of wrongful convictions and irreparable harm caused by executing innocent individuals. Moreover, the evolving global trend towards abolition highlights shifting attitudes towards justice and human rights on a global scale.
In conclusion, the death penalty in a global context presents a complex landscape of diverging opinions and practices. By critically analyzing the U.S.’s position on capital punishment in relation to global trends and economic concerns, we can better understand the multifaceted nature of this controversial issue and its implications for society at large.
