Advertisements often claim that fats are bad. Your classmate Mike asks, “If fats are so bad for us, why do we need to have any in our diets?” How would you answer him?
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 Fats in Our Diet
Fats have received a bad reputation in popular media and advertising, often being portrayed as harmful to our health. However, fats are essential nutrients that play crucial roles in maintaining overall health and well-being. When your classmate, Mike, questions the necessity of fats in our diets, it’s important to highlight the following reasons why fats are actually beneficial:
1. Source of Energy
– Fats are a concentrated source of energy, providing more than twice the amount of energy compared to carbohydrates and proteins. They serve as a long-term energy reserve that the body can rely on during times of low food intake or increased energy expenditure.
2. Essential Fatty Acids
– Some fats, known as essential fatty acids (such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids), cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through dietary sources. These fats are crucial for brain function, cell membrane structure, and inflammation regulation.
3. Absorption of Fat-Soluble Vitamins
– Fat is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in the body. These vitamins play vital roles in various physiological processes, including vision, immune function, bone health, and blood clotting.
4. Structural Component
– Fats are integral components of cell membranes and nerve cells, contributing to cell structure and function. They also provide insulation to help maintain body temperature and protect organs.
5. Flavor and Satisfaction
– Fats contribute to the flavor and palatability of foods, enhancing the taste and texture of meals. Including healthy fats in your diet can increase satiety and help you feel more satisfied after eating.
In conclusion, while it’s true that excessive consumption of certain types of fats (saturated and trans fats) can have negative health implications, it’s essential to recognize that fats are not inherently bad. Including sources of healthy fats (such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish) in moderation is crucial for supporting various bodily functions and overall health. A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients, including fats, is key to maintaining optimal health and well-being.
