State and defend one of two positions: there are too many people on planet Earth; or, the human population is appropriately sized at this time. Explicitly engage with the DTM. Hint: You should know what the DTM is.
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 Human Population is Appropriately Sized at this Time
Introduction
The question of whether there are too many people on planet Earth is a complex and controversial one. However, upon careful analysis of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) and considering various social, economic, and environmental factors, it becomes evident that the human population is appropriately sized at this time. The DTM provides a valuable framework for understanding population dynamics and helps us recognize that the world’s population has reached a stage of stability and balance.
The Demographic Transition Model (DTM)
The DTM is a conceptual model that illustrates the historical changes in population patterns observed in different countries. It identifies four distinct stages of demographic change: the pre-industrial stage, the transitional stage, the industrial stage, and the post-industrial stage.
Pre-industrial stage: In this stage, birth rates and death rates are high, resulting in a slow population growth rate. People rely on agriculture as their primary means of sustenance, and limited access to healthcare and education contributes to high mortality rates.
Transitional stage: As societies undergo economic development and industrialization, improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and living conditions lead to a decline in mortality rates. However, birth rates remain high, resulting in rapid population growth.
Industrial stage: In this stage, birth rates start to decline as societies undergo further economic and social changes. Urbanization, increased access to education, and improved rights for women contribute to a decrease in fertility rates. Population growth slows down during this stage.
Post-industrial stage: Birth and death rates reach a low level, resulting in a stable and balanced population size. This stage is characterized by a high degree of urbanization, advanced healthcare systems, and low fertility rates.
Analysis of the Human Population
Demographic Transition: The majority of developed countries have already transitioned to the post-industrial stage of the DTM, experiencing low birth and death rates. This transition has resulted in population stabilization and, in some cases, even population decline. This suggests that the world’s population is moving towards a state of balance.
Declining Fertility Rates: Across the globe, fertility rates have been decreasing. Many countries are experiencing below-replacement-level fertility, meaning that the average number of children per woman is less than two. This decline in fertility rates is a positive sign that population growth is slowing down and that the planet’s resources can be more sustainably managed.
Technological Advancements: Advancements in technology have led to increased agricultural productivity, improved healthcare, and more efficient use of resources. These advancements have helped to support the growing population and mitigate potential resource constraints.
Regional Disparities: While population growth remains a concern in some developing regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, it is important to note that overpopulation is not a global phenomenon. In fact, several countries in Europe and East Asia are experiencing population decline. Addressing regional disparities and implementing effective population policies can help ensure a balanced global population.
Conclusion
Considering the insights provided by the Demographic Transition Model, it becomes evident that the human population is appropriately sized at this time. The transition towards the post-industrial stage, declining fertility rates, technological advancements, and regional disparities all contribute to a more balanced population growth. It is crucial to address local challenges and implement sustainable practices to support the needs of the current population while ensuring a better future for generations to come.
