Imagine you are a sociologist who works for an elected official who has no background in sociology or a related field. You have been assigned the task of identifying an important example of social stratification that impacts the elected official’s constituency. Identify two sociological approaches that would take different approaches to the issue and develop an essay that compares and contrasts how you think the perspectives might analyze and approach the example of social stratification you discussed in your memo.
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
Title: Understanding Social Stratification: A Sociological Analysis
Introduction
Social stratification is a significant issue that affects the constituency of elected officials across the world. It refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social classes based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. In this essay, we will explore the concept of social stratification through the lens of two sociological approaches – the structural-functional approach and the conflict theory approach. By examining these perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of how social stratification impacts society and how it can be addressed to promote equality and social justice.
Social Stratification Example: Income Inequality
For the purpose of this analysis, let us consider income inequality as an example of social stratification that greatly impacts the constituency of the elected official. Income inequality refers to the unequal distribution of wealth and income among individuals in a society, leading to disparities in living standards, access to resources, and opportunities.
Structural-Functional Approach
The structural-functional approach to social stratification views it as a necessary and inevitable feature of society. According to this perspective, social stratification serves a purpose in maintaining order and stability by ensuring that individuals are placed in positions that best suit their abilities and qualifications. In the context of income inequality, the structural-functional approach might argue that disparities in income incentivize individuals to work harder and strive for success, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
Conflict Theory Approach
On the other hand, the conflict theory approach sees social stratification as a result of power struggles and competition for scarce resources. This perspective emphasizes the role of social class, race, and gender in perpetuating inequality and exploitation. In the case of income inequality, the conflict theory approach would highlight how certain groups, such as the wealthy elite, use their power and influence to maintain their privileged position at the expense of others. This perspective would advocate for social change to challenge existing power structures and promote greater equality.
Analysis and Comparison
When comparing the structural-functional and conflict theory approaches to income inequality, we can see distinct differences in their interpretations and proposed solutions. While the structural-functional approach emphasizes the importance of social stratification in maintaining societal order, the conflict theory approach critiques it as a mechanism of oppression and exploitation.
The structural-functional approach might argue that income inequality is a natural byproduct of individuals’ varying talents and efforts, suggesting that those with higher incomes deserve their wealth due to their contributions to society. In contrast, the conflict theory approach would highlight how income inequality is perpetuated by systemic biases and discrimination that favor certain groups over others.
In terms of solutions, the structural-functional approach might focus on policies that promote meritocracy and equal opportunities for all individuals to achieve success based on their abilities. On the other hand, the conflict theory approach would advocate for redistributive policies that aim to reduce income inequality by taxing the wealthy and providing resources and support to marginalized groups.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social stratification, particularly in the form of income inequality, is a complex issue that can be analyzed through different sociological perspectives. By considering both the structural-functional and conflict theory approaches, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of how social stratification impacts society and how it can be addressed. Ultimately, by engaging with these diverse perspectives, elected officials can make more informed decisions to promote social justice and equality within their constituencies.
