Create an original argument about a problem that has both social and spatial dimensions, and can only be fully addressed using both absolute and relative space? A successful essay will do at least two things. First, it will establish its problem in explicitly geographic terms (e.g., space, place, scale). Second, it will explicitly define, explain, and illustrate both absolute and relative space in engagement with the textbook
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 Social and Spatial Dimensions of Urban Sprawl: A Dualistic Approach
Introduction
Urban sprawl is a complex problem that has both social and spatial dimensions. It is a phenomenon characterized by the spreading out of cities into surrounding rural areas, resulting in the expansion of low-density, automobile-dependent development. To fully understand and address urban sprawl, it is essential to consider both absolute and relative space. Absolute space refers to the physical extent and location of urban development, while relative space encompasses the social and economic relationships within and between different areas. By examining the spatial and social aspects of urban sprawl, we can develop comprehensive solutions to mitigate its negative impacts and promote sustainable urban development.
The Problem in Geographic Terms
Urban sprawl can be understood in explicitly geographic terms by considering the concepts of space, place, and scale.
Space: Space refers to the physical extent and arrangement of urban development. In the case of urban sprawl, space is characterized by the outward expansion of cities, resulting in the conversion of rural land into urbanized areas. This spatial transformation impacts the natural environment, land use patterns, and transportation infrastructure.
Place: Place refers to the unique characteristics and meanings associated with specific locations. Urban sprawl alters the sense of place by eroding the distinctive qualities of both urban and rural areas. It leads to the loss of green spaces, fragmentation of communities, and homogenization of landscapes, diminishing the sense of place and local identity.
Scale: Scale refers to the geographic levels at which processes occur, from the local to the global. Urban sprawl operates at multiple scales, affecting neighborhoods, cities, and regions. It can result from individual land-use decisions, but also from broader economic and social factors, such as population growth, transportation systems, and urban policies.
Absolute Space: Physical Expansion and Environmental Impacts
Physical Expansion: Absolute space captures the physical extent of urban sprawl, highlighting the expansion of cities into rural areas. The uncontrolled and extensive development leads to the conversion of farmland, destruction of natural habitats, and loss of biodiversity. This spatial dimension emphasizes the need for land-use planning and smart growth strategies to manage urban expansion effectively.
Environmental Impacts: Absolute space also reveals the environmental consequences of urban sprawl. The increase in impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, leads to reduced water infiltration, increased stormwater runoff, and decreased water quality. Additionally, the reliance on automobiles in low-density developments contributes to higher greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Addressing these environmental impacts requires sustainable land-use practices, efficient transportation systems, and the preservation of green spaces.
Relative Space: Social Dynamics and Community Well-being
Social Dynamics: Relative space emphasizes the social relationships and interactions within and between different areas affected by urban sprawl. This dimension highlights the social inequalities and disparities that arise from uneven development patterns. Low-income communities and minority populations are often disproportionately impacted by urban sprawl, facing limited access to essential services, increased commuting times, and reduced quality of life.
Community Well-being: Relative space also considers how urban sprawl influences community well-being. The fragmentation of neighborhoods and the loss of social cohesion can lead to reduced community engagement, increased social isolation, and decreased public health outcomes. Addressing these social dimensions of urban sprawl requires equitable urban planning, affordable housing initiatives, and the promotion of inclusive and vibrant neighborhoods.
Conclusion
Urban sprawl is a problem that necessitates a dualistic approach by considering both absolute and relative space. Understanding the physical expansion and environmental impacts through absolute space is crucial for managing urban growth sustainably. Simultaneously, recognizing the social dynamics and community well-being through relative space is essential for addressing the social disparities and inequalities associated with urban sprawl. By integrating these spatial and social dimensions, policymakers, urban planners, and communities can work together to develop comprehensive solutions that promote sustainable urban development, preserve green spaces, enhance community well-being, and reduce the negative impacts of urban sprawl.
