Write an essay about Hawthorne Studies
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 Hawthorne Studies: Shedding Light on the Human Element in the Workplace
Abstract
The Hawthorne Studies, conducted in the 1920s and 1930s, were a series of experiments that revolutionized the understanding of human behavior in the workplace. This essay explores the key findings and implications of the Hawthorne Studies, highlighting the importance of social and psychological factors in improving productivity and employee satisfaction. By examining the impact of various interventions on worker behavior, the studies revealed the significance of human relations and sparked a shift towards a more people-oriented approach in management practices.
Introduction
The Hawthorne Studies were conducted at the Western Electric Hawthorne Works in Chicago by a team of researchers led by Elton Mayo. The studies aimed to investigate the relationship between work conditions and employee productivity. However, the unexpected findings of the studies shifted the focus from physical working conditions to the impact of social and psychological factors on employee performance and job satisfaction.
Findings
Illumination Experiments
The earliest phase of the Hawthorne Studies focused on lighting conditions in the workplace. Contrary to expectations, researchers found that changes in lighting had little impact on worker productivity. Instead, productivity increased regardless of whether lighting was improved or reduced. This unexpected finding led researchers to realize that social factors, such as attention and motivation, played a significant role in influencing worker behavior.
Relay Assembly Room Experiments
In subsequent phases of the Hawthorne Studies, researchers examined the impact of various interventions on worker productivity and job satisfaction. In the Relay Assembly Room experiments, changes were made to factors such as work hours, rest breaks, and team composition. Researchers found that regardless of whether changes were positive or negative, productivity improved. This phenomenon, known as the Hawthorne Effect, suggested that workers responded positively to the attention they received from being involved in the experiments.
Human Relations Interpretation
Based on these findings, the Hawthorne Studies led to the development of the Human Relations interpretation. This interpretation emphasized the significance of social relationships, communication, and participation in shaping worker behavior and job satisfaction. It highlighted the importance of recognizing employees as individuals with social needs and motivations rather than simply as cogs in a machine.
Implications for Management Practices
The Hawthorne Studies had profound implications for management practices. They highlighted the importance of employee engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction in improving productivity. The studies emphasized that positive social interactions, effective communication, and involvement in decision-making processes were crucial for creating a supportive work environment.
Furthermore, the studies challenged traditional management theories that solely focused on financial incentives and mechanistic approaches to work. Instead, they paved the way for a more holistic and people-centered approach, known as Human Resource Management (HRM), which recognizes employee well-being and engagement as critical factors for organizational success.
Conclusions, Recommendations, and Suggestions for Further Study
The Hawthorne Studies marked a significant shift in understanding the complexities of human behavior in the workplace. Their findings highlighted the importance of social and psychological factors in influencing worker behavior, productivity, and job satisfaction. The studies laid the foundation for the development of management practices that value employee well-being and engagement.
To further explore this field, future studies could investigate how modern workplace dynamics, such as remote work or virtual teams, influence employee motivation and job satisfaction. Additionally, research could delve into effective strategies for promoting positive social interactions and employee engagement within diverse organizational contexts.
In conclusion, the Hawthorne Studies shed light on the crucial role of social and psychological factors in workplace dynamics. By recognizing the significance of human relations and focusing on employee well-being, organizations can create a supportive work environment that enhances productivity and job satisfaction.
References
Mayo, E. (1933). The Human Problems of an Industrial Civilization. Macmillan.
Roethlisberger, F. J., & Dickson, W. J. (1939). Management and the Worker: An Account of a Research Program Conducted by the Western Electric Company, Hawthorne Works, Chicago. Harvard University Press.
Scott, W. G. (1992). Organizations: Rational, Natural, and Open Systems. Prentice-Hall.
Wren, D. A., & Bedeian, A. G. (2009). The Evolution of Management Thought (6th ed.). Wiley & Sons.
