Topic: Sociology and nursing
Write about a topic of your choice. Once you know your topic, begin to think about the sociological imagination, sociological theory: symbolic, conflict, or functional, and begin to tie it together. This paper is to be personal, for example, dealing with prison reentry. When I came home from prison, it was easy for me see conflict theory playing out in my life. There were issues when it came to getting jobs, housing, resources, and the ‘means of production’ was making it difficult for me. As for the sociological imagination, when I started school, I felt strange and out of place, but I was making it normal. Remember, only share what you want to share, nothing to personal at all.
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
Title: The Intersection of Sociology and Nursing: Building a Holistic Approach to Healthcare
Introduction:
The field of nursing is deeply intertwined with sociology, as both disciplines seek to understand and address the complexities of human behavior and social structures. By applying the sociological imagination and various sociological theories, nurses can gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and develop strategies to provide effective and equitable care to diverse populations.
Thesis Statement:
The integration of sociology and nursing allows healthcare professionals to adopt a holistic approach, recognizing the impact of social factors on individual health outcomes, and promoting a more comprehensive model of care.
Understanding the Sociological Imagination:
The sociological imagination, coined by sociologist C. Wright Mills, enables individuals to connect their personal experiences to broader social issues. In the context of nursing, the sociological imagination allows healthcare professionals to recognize that health disparities are not solely the result of individual choices or genetic predispositions, but are deeply rooted in societal structures and inequalities.
For instance, when working with individuals who have experienced prison reentry, nurses can use the sociological imagination to understand how factors such as stigma, limited access to resources, and systemic discrimination may contribute to their health challenges. By acknowledging these broader social issues, nurses can provide more empathetic and effective care, helping individuals navigate post-release challenges.
Applying Sociological Theories:
Symbolic Interactionism:
Symbolic interactionism focuses on how individuals construct meaning through social interactions. In nursing, this theory helps healthcare professionals understand the significance of communication, trust-building, and cultural nuances when interacting with patients. By recognizing the diverse perspectives and experiences of patients, nurses can foster therapeutic relationships that are respectful and tailored to individual needs.
Conflict Theory:
Conflict theory examines how power imbalances and social inequalities shape society. In nursing, this theory sheds light on the structural barriers that prevent marginalized individuals from accessing quality healthcare. For example, individuals who have experienced prison reentry often face challenges in securing employment, housing, and healthcare resources due to societal prejudices and discrimination. Nurses can advocate for policy changes and work towards reducing these disparities through community engagement and collaboration with social service organizations.
Functionalism:
Functionalism emphasizes the interdependence between different parts of society and how they contribute to its overall functioning. In nursing, functionalism highlights the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community members to promote health equity. For example, nurses can work alongside community organizations to develop initiatives that address the social determinants of health and improve access to healthcare services for individuals who have experienced prison reentry.
Conclusion:
By integrating sociology into nursing practice, healthcare professionals can gain a deeper understanding of the social factors that influence health outcomes. This understanding allows for a more holistic approach to care, one that recognizes the impact of social determinants on individual well-being. Through the application of the sociological imagination and various sociological theories, nurses can advocate for social justice, promote health equity, and provide inclusive care for all individuals.
