Describe the U.S. social class structure. According to the documentary, what role does socioeconomic status play in health and life expectancy? What can we learn by examining the excess death rates in Louisville, Kentucky? What role does our ability to control our own destiny play? How is this linked to our biology? Be sure to include specific details about the research conducted by both Dr. Shively and Dr. Cohen. The film included one study’s prediction that today’s generation of young Americans might be the first in a century to live shorter lives than their parents. What solutions did the documentary provide to avoid such a fate?
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
Understanding the U.S. Social Class Structure and Its Impact on Health and Life Expectancy
The United States is often hailed as a land of opportunity, but the reality is that its social class structure is deeply stratified, impacting individuals’ health and life expectancy in profound ways. This essay explores how socioeconomic status (SES) affects health outcomes, drawing on insights from a documentary that highlights the work of notable researchers, including Dr. Shively and Dr. Cohen. By examining excess death rates in Louisville, Kentucky, and the broader implications of these findings, we can better understand the intricate connections between social class, health disparities, and biological determinants.
Thesis Statement
The U.S. social class structure significantly influences health outcomes and life expectancy, as evidenced by research revealing that socioeconomic status is a critical determinant of health, while the ability to control one’s destiny plays a vital role in shaping both individual biology and collective societal health.
The Role of Socioeconomic Status in Health
Socioeconomic status encompasses a range of factors, including income, education, and occupational prestige, which together create a hierarchy often linked to health disparities. The documentary underscores that individuals in lower socioeconomic strata experience worse health outcomes than their wealthier counterparts. Dr. Shively’s research focuses on how chronic stress associated with low SES can lead to biological changes that predispose individuals to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and obesity.
Dr. Cohen’s studies further illustrate this relationship by investigating how psychological stressors affect immune function. His research demonstrated that individuals with lower SES are more likely to experience stress-related illnesses due to weakened immune systems, leading to higher mortality rates.
Case Study: Excess Death Rates in Louisville, Kentucky
Examining excess death rates in Louisville provides a stark illustration of these disparities. The data reveal that neighborhoods with higher poverty rates correlate with increased mortality rates, highlighting the urgent need for public health interventions. The documentary emphasizes that in Louisville, less access to healthcare, nutritious food, and safe living conditions contributes to these alarming statistics.
The insights from Louisville serve as a case study of how social determinants of health—such as access to education and economic opportunities—intersect with biological responses to create health inequities. This reinforces the notion that addressing social inequalities is crucial for improving overall health outcomes.
Control Over Destiny and Its Biological Links
The ability to control one’s destiny—often termed “locus of control”—is a significant determinant of health. Individuals who perceive they have agency in their lives tend to engage in healthier behaviors and have better health outcomes. This sense of control can counteract the negative biological responses associated with stress and adversity.
Dr. Shively’s research indicates that when individuals believe they can affect their circumstances positively, it can lead to physiological changes that promote better health. In contrast, those who feel powerless may experience chronic stress responses that adversely impact their biology, leading to increased susceptibility to illness and premature death.
Generational Health Predictions
The documentary raises alarm over predictions that today’s generation of young Americans might be the first in a century to experience shorter lifespans than their parents. This potential decline is attributed primarily to rising obesity rates, substance abuse, and mental health challenges linked to socioeconomic factors.
Solutions to Avoid Declining Health Outcomes
To counteract these concerning trends, the documentary proposes several solutions aimed at addressing root causes of health disparities. These include:
1. Enhancing Access to Education: By investing in education, particularly in disadvantaged communities, we can empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their circumstances.
2. Community Health Initiatives: Programs focused on promoting healthy lifestyles through nutrition and physical activity can help mitigate some of the adverse health effects associated with low SES.
3. Policy Changes: Advocating for policies that address income inequality and improve access to healthcare can significantly impact public health.
4. Mental Health Support: Providing resources for mental health can help individuals develop a stronger sense of control over their lives.
Conclusion
The intersection of social class structure, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes presents a complex but critical challenge for American society. By understanding the research conducted by Dr. Shively and Dr. Cohen, along with real-world implications illustrated by Louisville’s excess death rates, we gain valuable insights into how we can address these disparities. It becomes clear that improving health outcomes requires not only individual agency but also systemic change. By implementing targeted solutions, we can work towards ensuring that future generations experience better health than those before them—a goal worth striving for in pursuit of a healthier society.
