What is meant by the concept of “doing justice” and how do the U.S. courts appear to dispense justice?
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
Essay Title: The Pursuit of Justice: Understanding Court Systems in the United States
Thesis Statement:
The concept of “doing justice” encompasses the fair and impartial treatment of individuals within the legal system, aiming to uphold rights, enforce laws, and resolve disputes equitably. While U.S. courts strive to dispense justice through due process, adherence to legal principles, and the protection of constitutional rights, challenges such as disparities in access to legal representation and systemic biases pose obstacles to achieving universal justice for all individuals.
Introduction:
The principle of “doing justice” lies at the core of legal systems worldwide, reflecting the fundamental tenets of fairness, equality, and integrity in dispensing legal remedies and resolving disputes. In the United States, the pursuit of justice within the court systems is guided by principles of due process, adherence to legal standards, and the protection of individual rights. This essay explores the concept of “doing justice,” examines how U.S. courts endeavor to dispense justice through various mechanisms, and addresses challenges that impede the universal realization of justice for all individuals.
Understanding the Concept of “Doing Justice”:
The concept of “doing justice” entails the equitable treatment of individuals within the legal system, ensuring that rights are safeguarded, laws are upheld, and conflicts are resolved impartially. Key aspects of “doing justice” include:
1. Fairness: Upholding principles of fairness and impartiality in legal proceedings to ensure that all parties are treated equitably and have the opportunity to present their case.
2. Equity: Striving to achieve just outcomes that consider individual circumstances, legal standards, and societal expectations, promoting a sense of balance and proportionality in judicial decisions.
3. Integrity: Maintaining integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct in legal processes to uphold public trust in the judiciary and preserve the rule of law.
Dispensing Justice in U.S. Courts:
U.S. courts employ a variety of mechanisms and practices to dispense justice and uphold the rule of law. Some key features of how U.S. courts seek to achieve justice include:
1. Due Process: Guaranteeing individuals the right to a fair trial, legal representation, and access to evidence, ensuring that legal proceedings are conducted in a transparent and impartial manner.
2. Adherence to Legal Principles: Applying established legal standards, precedents, statutes, and constitutional provisions to guide judicial decisions and ensure consistency and predictability in legal outcomes.
3. Protection of Rights: Safeguarding individual rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, such as the right to privacy, freedom of speech, due process, and equal protection under the law, through judicial review and interpretation.
Challenges in Achieving Universal Justice:
Despite the efforts of U.S. courts to dispense justice fairly and impartially, several challenges impede the universal realization of justice for all individuals. These challenges include:
1. Disparities in Legal Representation: Disparities in access to legal representation based on socioeconomic status can hinder individuals’ ability to navigate the legal system effectively and secure adequate counsel.
2. Systemic Biases: Implicit biases, structural inequalities, and systemic injustices within the legal system can result in unequal treatment, disparate outcomes, and barriers to justice for marginalized communities.
3. Resource Constraints: Limited resources, case backlogs, and procedural complexities in the legal system may impede timely access to justice, delaying legal resolutions and prolonging litigants’ suffering.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the concept of “doing justice” reflects the fundamental principles of fairness, equity, and integrity that underpin legal systems around the world. While U.S. courts strive to dispense justice through due process, adherence to legal standards, and the protection of individual rights, challenges such as disparities in legal representation and systemic biases present obstacles to achieving universal justice for all individuals. By addressing these challenges through reforms, increased access to legal services, diversity initiatives, and ongoing education on implicit biases, U.S. courts can move closer to realizing the ideal of justice for all within their judicial processes. Through continuous reflection, adaptation, and commitment to upholding the rule of law, U.S. courts can enhance their capacity to deliver justice equitably and effectively to all individuals seeking redress within the legal system.
