Explain an aspect in the following readings that helps you to understand how macro-level structural issues (e.g., for Mills, it is social issues of social structure, and for Marx and Engels’ it’s the system of capitalism) help to explain the behavior of individuals and groups.
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: Unveiling the Influence of Macro-level Structural Issues on Individual and Group Behavior
Introduction:
Macro-level structural issues play a pivotal role in shaping the behavior of individuals and groups. This essay will explore how prominent sociologists such as C. Wright Mills, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels shed light on the impact of social structure and capitalism on human behavior. By understanding these macro-level structural factors, we can gain insight into the motivations, actions, and interactions of individuals and groups within society.
I. C. Wright Mills: Social Issues and Social Structure
Mills argues that social structure is the underlying framework that shapes human behavior.
Macro-level structural issues, such as class divisions, power dynamics, and institutional arrangements, influence individual and group behavior.
The concept of the “sociological imagination” allows individuals to understand how their personal troubles are connected to broader social issues.
For example, an individual’s unemployment may be linked to larger economic structures, such as the outsourcing of jobs or technological advancements.
II. Karl Marx: The System of Capitalism
Marx’s analysis focuses on the relationship between social classes and their impact on human behavior.
The capitalist system creates inherent inequalities and exploitative relationships that shape individual and group behavior.
The bourgeoisie, who control the means of production, exploit the working class, leading to class conflict and social tensions.
This class struggle influences how individuals and groups respond, with the working class seeking to challenge and overthrow capitalist structures.
III. Friedrich Engels: Capitalism and Alienation
Engels expands upon Marx’s analysis by examining how capitalism alienates individuals from their labor, themselves, and society.
Macro-level structural issues such as private ownership of production and profit-driven motives lead to alienation.
The alienation experienced by workers affects their behavior and relationships, resulting in feelings of powerlessness and disconnection.
This alienation can extend to broader societal impacts, including social fragmentation, mental health issues, and interpersonal conflicts.
Conclusion:
The works of C. Wright Mills, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels highlight the significant influence of macro-level structural issues on individual and group behavior. Social structure shapes the way individuals perceive their world, while the capitalist system fosters inequalities, exploitation, and alienation that impact human behavior. Understanding these macro-level structural factors is crucial for comprehending the motivations, actions, and interactions of individuals and groups within society. By acknowledging these influences, we can strive for a more equitable and just social order that promotes positive behaviors and relationships.
