Watch this short video on the top 10 countries with the highest life expectancy.
Then, post your thoughts (hit the reply button below) on why you think these countries have such a high life expectancy rate. And, reply to at least one of your classmates original post (hit the reply button below their original post). Do not reply to a reply.
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.Â
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
Thoughts on High Life Expectancy in Top Countries
After watching the video on the top 10 countries with the highest life expectancy, I found it fascinating to consider the various factors that contribute to these impressive statistics. Countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Singapore consistently rank at the top, and several common themes emerge that help explain their high life expectancy rates.
1. Healthcare System: Many of these countries have universal healthcare systems that provide access to quality medical care for all citizens. This reduces health disparities and ensures that individuals receive preventative care, early diagnosis, and effective treatment for diseases.
2. Healthy Lifestyles: Countries with high life expectancy often promote healthy lifestyles. For example, the Japanese diet—rich in fish, vegetables, and whole grains—contributes to lower obesity rates and better heart health. Additionally, regular physical activity is culturally encouraged, which helps maintain overall health and longevity.
3. Social Support Systems: Strong social networks and community support play a significant role in mental and emotional well-being. Countries with a high life expectancy typically foster a sense of community, reducing feelings of isolation and depression, which can negatively impact health.
4. Education: High levels of education correlate with better health outcomes. Educated populations tend to make informed health choices, understand the importance of nutrition and exercise, and are more likely to seek medical care when needed.
5. Government Policies: Many of these nations implement policies that promote welfare, including maternity/paternity leave, childcare support, and programs aimed at reducing poverty. These initiatives contribute to better overall quality of life and longer lifespan.
6. Environmental Factors: Clean air and water, low pollution levels, and access to green spaces can significantly impact health. Countries that prioritize environmental sustainability often see positive effects on public health.
Overall, the interplay between healthcare access, lifestyle choices, social support, education, government policies, and environmental factors creates a holistic approach to health that likely contributes to the high life expectancy observed in these countries. It raises important questions about how we can adopt similar strategies in other regions to improve public health outcomes globally.
Response to Classmate’s Post
(Replying to a hypothetical classmate’s post)
I completely agree with your points about the importance of healthcare access and healthy lifestyles in contributing to higher life expectancy rates. It’s interesting how cultural practices shape diet and exercise habits in these countries. For example, you mentioned Japan’s emphasis on nutrition—it’s remarkable how traditional diets can have such a profound impact on health outcomes over generations. Additionally, I think it’s vital to consider how these countries prioritize mental health alongside physical health. The social cohesion you mentioned really helps in this regard. Great insights!
