1. List different sources of workplace violence.
2. Explain the association of bullying and harassment to workplace violence.
3. What are the different legal precedents used by attorneys when litigating employer liability for workplace victimization? What is the difference between negligent hiring and negligent training?
4. Discuss several risk factors that contribute to youth violence.
5. Explain how schools are a source of victimization.
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 Workplace and Youth Violence: Sources, Associations, Legal Aspects, and Risk Factors
1. Sources of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence can stem from various sources, which can be classified into several categories:
– External Sources: This includes violence from clients, customers, or strangers. For instance, retail workers may face robberies or aggressive customers.
– Internal Sources: This involves violence from colleagues or supervisors. It can manifest as bullying, harassment, or physical assaults among employees.
– Domestic Violence Spillover: Employees experiencing domestic violence may bring their personal conflicts into the workplace, posing risks to themselves and their colleagues.
– Organizational Factors: Poor management practices, lack of communication, and high-stress environments can contribute to a culture where violence is more likely to occur.
– Societal Influences: Broader societal issues, such as economic downturns or social unrest, can increase the likelihood of workplace violence.
2. Association of Bullying and Harassment to Workplace Violence
Bullying and harassment are closely associated with workplace violence as they create a hostile environment that can escalate into physical confrontations or psychological harm.
– Bullying: This refers to repeated aggressive behavior that can be verbal, physical, or relational. It often leads to victims experiencing anxiety, depression, and diminished job performance. In extreme cases, bullying can culminate in acts of violence against the perpetrator or others.
– Harassment: This includes unwelcome behavior based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Harassment can create power imbalances and foster a toxic work environment, which may lead to violent outbursts as victims may feel trapped or powerless.
Both bullying and harassment contribute to a culture of fear and intimidation, increasing the likelihood of violent incidents.
3. Legal Precedents for Employer Liability in Workplace Victimization
Attorneys may reference several legal precedents when litigating employer liability for workplace victimization, including:
– Negligent Hiring: Employers can be held liable for negligent hiring if they fail to conduct appropriate background checks or ignore warning signs about a candidate’s potential for violence. The legal argument hinges on whether the employer could have reasonably foreseen the risk of harm.
– Negligent Training: This refers to the employer’s failure to provide adequate training to employees on handling conflict situations or recognizing and preventing violence. If an employee is not properly trained and subsequently causes harm, the employer may be deemed liable.
Difference Between Negligent Hiring and Negligent Training
– Negligent Hiring focuses on the recruitment process and the employer’s duty to verify that potential employees do not pose a threat based on their past behavior or qualifications.
– Negligent Training, on the other hand, emphasizes the employer’s responsibility to equip employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs safely and effectively while managing conflicts and potential violence.
4. Risk Factors Contributing to Youth Violence
Several risk factors contribute to youth violence, including:
– Family Factors: Exposure to domestic violence, parental substance abuse, or neglect can increase a youth’s propensity for violent behavior.
– Social Environment: Peer pressure, gang involvement, and exposure to violence in the community can normalize aggressive behavior among youths.
– School Environment: Bullying, lack of support from teachers, and a negative school climate can lead students to express frustration through violence.
– Individual Characteristics: Factors such as mental health issues, substance abuse problems, and developmental disorders can increase the likelihood of violent behavior in youth.
– Cultural Norms: Societal attitudes that glorify aggression or endorse violent behavior can further exacerbate youth violence.
5. Schools as a Source of Victimization
Schools can be significant sources of victimization for students due to several factors:
– Bullying: One of the most prevalent forms of victimization in schools is bullying, which can take various forms—physical, verbal, or cyberbullying. Victims often experience long-term psychological effects.
– Peer Violence: Interpersonal conflicts can escalate into physical fights among students, leading to injuries and fear within the school environment.
– Ineffective Policies: Inadequate school policies addressing violence and harassment can leave students feeling unsupported and vulnerable.
– Social Isolation: Students who are marginalized or isolated may become targets for victimization, leading to feelings of helplessness and exacerbating mental health issues.
– Lack of Resources: Schools with insufficient counseling services or mental health resources may be ill-equipped to address issues related to victimization effectively.
In conclusion, understanding the sources of workplace violence and youth violence involves recognizing both individual and systemic factors that contribute to these complex issues. Addressing these concerns requires effective legal frameworks, supportive environments, and proactive measures by institutions such as schools and workplaces.
