Reflect on your own experiences with antibiotics and other medications designed to combat microorganisms.
• What have you learned this week that you wish you had known before?
• How will your new knowledge change your ideas about when and how to use antibiotics?
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 Power and Perils of Antibiotics: A Journey of Discovery
As human beings, we have all encountered situations where our health has been compromised by the invasion of microorganisms. Whether it’s a common cold, a bacterial infection, or even a more severe illness, antibiotics have become our trusted allies in the battle against these unseen enemies. However, my recent research into the topic has shed light on the power and perils of antibiotics, prompting me to reconsider my previous understanding of when and how to use these medications.
Throughout the course of this week, delving into the world of antibiotics has revealed a plethora of information that I wish I had known earlier. Firstly, I discovered that antibiotics are specific medications designed to target and kill bacteria, not viruses. In the past, I had mistakenly assumed that antibiotics could tackle any type of infection, regardless of its origin. This misconception has led to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which in turn has facilitated the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The alarming reality is that antibiotics are losing their effectiveness due to widespread misuse. This means that some bacterial infections are becoming resistant to the very medications once considered a cure-all. Numerous studies have indicated that overprescription and unnecessary usage of antibiotics contribute significantly to this growing problem. The indiscriminate use of these drugs not only fails to treat illnesses caused by viruses but also weakens our overall immune system by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
Furthermore, my research has revealed the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by healthcare professionals. In the past, there have been instances where I stopped taking antibiotics once I felt better, assuming that the infection had been eradicated. However, this behavior can lead to the survival of stronger bacteria that are more resistant to future antibiotic treatments. By diligently following through with the entire prescribed regimen, we can ensure that the microorganisms are effectively eliminated.
Armed with this newfound knowledge, I am compelled to reevaluate my ideas about when and how to use antibiotics. Instead of rushing to take antibiotics at the first sign of illness, I now understand the importance of allowing our immune system to fight off infections caused by viruses. Antibiotics should be reserved for bacterial infections that are severe or potentially life-threatening. Moreover, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before self-medicating or demanding antibiotics, as they are best equipped to determine whether they are necessary.
In addition, I am now more cautious about the duration of antibiotic treatment. Rather than discontinuing medication once symptoms improve, I will adhere to the prescribed regimen until completion. This will ensure that any lingering bacteria are eradicated and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
In conclusion, my recent exploration into the world of antibiotics has been eye-opening. It has exposed me to the power and perils of these medications and prompted me to reconsider my previous beliefs about their usage. Through responsible and informed decision-making regarding when and how to use antibiotics, we can contribute to the preservation of their effectiveness and protect ourselves from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
