Write an Argumentative essay about Mental Health and College Students
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 Importance of Addressing Mental Health Among College Students
Introduction
College life is often portrayed as a time of personal growth, academic achievements, and new experiences. However, the reality is that many college students face significant mental health challenges during this transitional period. The prevalence of mental health issues among college students is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed. This essay will argue for the importance of prioritizing mental health support for college students, highlighting the impact of mental health issues on academic performance, personal well-being, and overall student success.
Mental Health and Academic Performance
One of the key reasons to address mental health among college students is the significant impact it has on their academic performance. A study conducted by Eisenberg et al. (2013) found that students with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety had lower GPAs compared to their peers. Mental health issues can impair concentration, memory, and cognitive function, making it challenging for students to perform at their full potential academically. By addressing mental health concerns, colleges can create an environment that promotes well-being and supports students in achieving their academic goals.
Personal Well-being and Student Success
Beyond academic performance, mental health also plays a crucial role in a student’s overall well-being and success. College is a time of transition, increased responsibilities, and social pressures. These factors can contribute to feelings of stress, loneliness, and isolation. Neglecting mental health can lead to increased risk of developing more severe mental health disorders and hinder personal growth. By prioritizing mental health support, colleges can ensure that students have the resources and support systems necessary to navigate these challenges effectively.
Reducing Stigma and Promoting Help-Seeking Behavior
Another important aspect of addressing mental health among college students is reducing the stigma associated with seeking help. Many students hesitate to seek support due to fears of judgment or being perceived as weak. However, creating a culture that promotes open discussions about mental health can encourage students to reach out for help when needed. Colleges should prioritize destigmatizing mental health concerns through awareness campaigns, counseling services, and peer support programs. By normalizing help-seeking behavior, students are more likely to access the resources available to them and receive timely assistance.
Preventing Long-Term Consequences
Failure to address mental health issues among college students can have long-term consequences that extend beyond their college years. Mental health conditions often persist into adulthood if left untreated, leading to significant challenges in various aspects of life, including career development, relationships, and overall well-being. By proactively addressing mental health concerns during college years, colleges can help prevent the escalation of these issues and equip students with coping mechanisms that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Conclusion
The importance of addressing mental health among college students cannot be overstated. By prioritizing mental health support, colleges can create an environment that promotes academic success, personal well-being, and overall student success. This includes providing accessible counseling services, destigmatizing mental health concerns, and promoting a culture of help-seeking behavior. Investing in mental health resources and support systems will not only benefit individual college students but also contribute to the creation of a healthier and more successful student population as a whole. It is imperative that colleges recognize the significance of mental health and take proactive measures to address it effectively.
