Problem-solving by using critical thinking skills to frame problems, explain other people’s diverse viewpoints, and then create ethical solutions.
What does the problem-solving skill mean to you, and why is it an important skill to develop?
As you study and learn about this skill, what do you hope to accomplish throughout this course? For instance, how do you see yourself already using the skill, and how do you see yourself improving in the future?
Why is it important for us to study humanities?
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 Problem-Solving Skills and the Study of Humanities
Problem-solving is a crucial skill that allows individuals to analyze, evaluate, and resolve complex issues or challenges they encounter in both personal and professional contexts. It involves using critical thinking skills to frame problems, understanding diverse viewpoints, and developing ethical solutions. Developing problem-solving skills is essential because it empowers individuals to navigate obstacles, make informed decisions, and contribute to positive change in their communities.
To me, problem-solving is about approaching challenges with a proactive mindset. Instead of becoming overwhelmed or discouraged by problems, individuals with strong problem-solving skills view them as opportunities for growth and innovation. This skill enables me to break down complex problems into manageable components, consider various perspectives, and develop creative solutions. By cultivating problem-solving skills, I hope to become a more effective leader, collaborator, and contributor in both my personal and professional life.
Throughout this course, I aim to enhance my problem-solving abilities by honing my critical thinking skills and expanding my understanding of diverse viewpoints. I want to develop the capacity to approach problems from multiple angles, considering different perspectives and potential ethical implications. Additionally, I hope to improve my ability to communicate and justify my solutions effectively, taking into account the values and needs of different stakeholders. By further developing my problem-solving skills, I believe I will be better equipped to tackle complex issues and contribute meaningfully to solving real-world problems.
The study of humanities is vital for several reasons:
Understanding Human Experience: Humanities disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy, and art provide insights into the human experience throughout time. By studying these subjects, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex and diverse perspectives, values, and beliefs that shape societies. This understanding fosters empathy, tolerance, and appreciation for the diversity of human experiences.
Developing Critical Thinking: Humanities subjects encourage critical thinking skills by challenging assumptions, analyzing evidence, and engaging in rigorous intellectual inquiry. These skills are essential for effective problem-solving as they enable individuals to evaluate information critically, consider different viewpoints, and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions.
Cultivating Ethical Awareness: Humanities education helps individuals develop ethical awareness by exploring moral dilemmas, ethical theories, and philosophical perspectives on ethics. This study equips us with the tools to analyze ethical issues, consider multiple perspectives, and make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being and dignity of individuals and communities.
Enhancing Communication Skills: Humanities subjects emphasize effective communication through written and verbal expression. By studying literature, for example, we learn to analyze and interpret complex texts, articulate our ideas coherently, and engage in meaningful dialogue. These communication skills are essential for effective problem-solving as they enable us to express our ideas clearly, listen actively to others’ perspectives, and collaborate towards finding ethical solutions.
In conclusion, problem-solving skills are critical for navigating the challenges of our complex world. Throughout this course, I aim to enhance my problem-solving abilities by developing critical thinking skills, considering diverse viewpoints, and creating ethical solutions. Furthermore, studying humanities is important as it deepens our understanding of the human experience, cultivates critical thinking abilities, fosters ethical awareness, and enhances communication skills. By combining problem-solving skills with a humanities education, we can become more effective problem-solvers who contribute positively to society.
