1.) Discuss the value of studying the social sciences for everyone, not just social scientists. Why might it be important for individuals and society to understand how the social sciences relate to current events and contemporary issues?
2.) Consider a recent event, either in your personal life or in the news. In a few sentences, describe how basic knowledge of the social sciences could help you better understand that event, make decisions, or act.
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 Value of Studying the Social Sciences for Everyone
Introduction
Studying the social sciences is not only beneficial for social scientists but also for individuals from all disciplines and backgrounds. The social sciences encompass fields such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, and more. Understanding how the social sciences relate to current events and contemporary issues is important for both individuals and society as a whole.
Importance for Individuals
Critical Thinking Skills: Studying the social sciences helps develop critical thinking skills. It enables individuals to analyze and evaluate information, arguments, and evidence. This skillset is crucial for making informed decisions based on reliable data and reasoning.
Understanding Human Behavior: The social sciences provide insights into human behavior, motivations, and interactions. This knowledge allows individuals to better understand themselves and others, leading to improved interpersonal relationships and effective communication.
Cultural Awareness: The social sciences explore different cultures, traditions, and belief systems. This understanding fosters cultural sensitivity and empathy, promoting inclusivity, respect, and cooperation in diverse societies.
Global Perspectives: Studying the social sciences provides a broader perspective on global issues such as climate change, poverty, inequality, and political conflicts. It helps individuals recognize the interconnectedness of societies and the impact of their actions on a global scale.
Importance for Society
Informed Citizenship: A well-informed citizenry is essential for a functioning democracy. Knowledge of the social sciences enables individuals to engage critically with public discourse, understand political processes, and make informed decisions when voting or participating in civic activities.
Policy Development: Governments and policymakers rely on social science research to inform policy decisions. Understanding the social sciences allows individuals to contribute to policy discussions, advocate for evidence-based policies, and hold policymakers accountable.
Addressing Social Issues: Many contemporary issues, such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, mental health, and climate change, require multidisciplinary approaches that draw upon social science research. Studying the social sciences equips individuals with the knowledge and tools to address these pressing societal challenges.
Example of Social Sciences in Action
Consider the recent event of a protest against racial injustice sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Basic knowledge of the social sciences can help better understand this event and inform decision-making or action:
Sociology: Understanding sociological concepts such as systemic racism, social inequality, discrimination, and power dynamics provides insights into why such protests occur and how they relate to broader societal issues.
Psychology: Knowledge of psychological theories can help understand the emotions, motivations, and collective behavior of both the protestors and those opposing the movement.
Political Science: Insights from political science shed light on the role of government policies, political ideologies, and public opinion in shaping responses to racial injustice and protests.
Communication Studies: Understanding communication theories can provide insights into how messages are disseminated during protests, how they influence public opinion, and how different groups communicate their perspectives.
By applying this basic knowledge of the social sciences to analyze the event and its underlying causes, individuals can better comprehend the complexity of racial injustice and contribute to constructive discussions, activism, or policy advocacy for change.
In conclusion, studying the social sciences is valuable for everyone as it enhances critical thinking skills, promotes understanding of human behavior and culture, facilitates global perspectives, and empowers individuals to be informed citizens who can contribute to society’s progress. Understanding how the social sciences relate to current events and contemporary issues is crucial for addressing societal challenges in a comprehensive and informed manner.
Note: The above discussion draws upon general knowledge of the social sciences without specific citations. Further research into specific disciplines within the social sciences can provide more detailed insights on their relevance to current events and contemporary issues.
