Explain the structural functionalist approach to sociological theories.
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 Structural Functionalist Approach to Sociological Theories
Introduction
The structural functionalist approach is a prominent perspective in sociological theories that seeks to understand society by examining the interdependencies between its various social institutions and how they contribute to the overall functioning and stability of the social system. In this essay, we will explore the key concepts and principles of the structural functionalist approach and its contributions to sociological understanding.
Basic Principles of Structural Functionalism
The structural functionalist approach views society as a complex system made up of interrelated parts that work together to maintain social order and stability. It emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of social institutions, such as family, education, religion, economy, and government. According to this perspective, these institutions serve specific functions that contribute to the overall functioning of society.
One of the central principles of structural functionalism is that each social institution has a specific role to play in maintaining the stability and harmony of society. For example, the family institution plays a crucial role in socializing individuals, while education provides knowledge and skills necessary for the functioning of the economy. These institutions are seen as working together to meet the needs of individuals and ensure the smooth functioning of society as a whole.
Another principle of structural functionalism is the idea that social structures and institutions exist because they fulfill necessary functions for society. Institutions that persist over time are seen as having adaptive value, meaning that they contribute to the survival and well-being of society. This perspective assumes that social institutions develop and evolve to meet the needs of society, and any changes or disruptions in these institutions can have consequences for the overall social order.
Functions and Dysfunctions
Functionalists analyze social institutions by focusing on their functions and dysfunctions. Functions are the intended consequences or positive effects that a social institution has on society. For example, one function of education is to transmit knowledge and skills to future generations, which benefits both individuals and society as a whole.
On the other hand, dysfunctions are unintended consequences or negative effects that arise from social institutions. For instance, an unintended dysfunction of education could be the reproduction of social inequalities if certain groups have limited access to quality education.
Stability and Social Order
The structural functionalist approach emphasizes the importance of social order and stability in society. According to this perspective, social order is achieved through shared norms, values, and social cohesion. Social institutions play a crucial role in maintaining this order by providing guidelines for behavior, regulating social interactions, and resolving conflicts.
Functionalists argue that when each institution fulfills its functions effectively, it contributes to the overall stability and balance of society. Changes or disruptions in one institution can have ripple effects on other parts of society, potentially leading to dysfunction or instability. Therefore, structural functionalists advocate for maintaining social equilibrium by preserving existing social structures and institutions.
Criticisms of Structural Functionalism
While the structural functionalist approach has made significant contributions to sociological understanding, it has also faced criticisms. One critique is that it tends to overlook power dynamics and inequalities within society. This perspective often focuses on harmony and cooperation, neglecting issues related to social conflict and power struggles.
Additionally, critics argue that the structural functionalist approach assumes that all social structures and institutions exist for a purposeful reason, without sufficiently considering historical or cultural factors that may influence their development. This perspective may overlook the ways in which institutions can be shaped by power dynamics or perpetuate inequality.
Conclusion
The structural functionalist approach provides a framework for understanding society by examining the interdependencies between social institutions and how they contribute to social order and stability. It emphasizes the functions that institutions serve and their role in meeting the needs of society. While this perspective has faced criticisms for overlooking power dynamics and historical contingencies, it has played a significant role in shaping sociological theories and our understanding of how societies function.
