Open topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Open topic - Essay Example Opponents of marijuana use have offered diversified arguments to support the current laws that limit application of the drug. One of the arguments identifies the intoxicating effect of the drug and notes that legalizing it will have adverse effects on physical activities. Using the work environment as an example, the opponents explain that when people get stoned after using the drug, they are not able to concentrate on their work. Inefficiency at work and mistakes that can lead to accidents will therefore be on the rise with adverse effects on the economy at both macro and microeconomic levels. Loss of focus is also feared among drivers should they drive under significant influence of marijuana because this is likely to increase incidences of road accidents. This is because marijuana affects people’s rationale and reduces ability to make instantaneous responses. It is also argued that smoking marijuana is immoral because of its effect on the society. Legalizing the drug is lik ely to increase its exposure and young people will be more vulnerable to using it. At the same time, the drug has adverse effects such as damaging users’ bodies and mind. Significance of these effects has been used to support current laws (Steve 48). Habits develop gradually and this offers another argument against legalization of marijuana. The proponents of the status quo on illegality of marijuana argue that marijuana will act as a stepping-stone to consumption of stronger drugs. Making marijuana legal will expose many people to use and dependence on drugs and the victims, after a period of consumption, will seek drugs that can offer greater stimulating effects. Disadvantages of the hard drugs such as adverse effects on people’s bodies develop fears that legalization of marijuana will have serious secondary effects. Effects of smoking on other people are another offered reason for opposing legalization of marijuana. While a smoker has intentions to expose self to sm oke and chemicals in marijuana, such smoking exposes other people to the factors. This only favors smokers and it endangers their lives at no benefit at all. The government however has the responsibility for protecting the public through such arms and formulation of policies that limits such usage and strict implementation of the policies ensures that people do not suffer because of effects of secondary smoking. It is also believed that legalization of marijuana could set a bad precedent towards calls for an eventual legalization of harder drugs. This will however be detrimental to the society because of the more adverse effects of the hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin (Balanced Politics 1). Analysis of these opponent arguments however exposes a number of weaknesses because the fears can be managed or may not be real. Considering the proposed adverse effects of marijuana legalization on safety on roads or at workplaces, legalizing the drug may increase its accessibility but that does not mean that the other drugs are safe. Alcohol, for example, is legal and have similar effects as the proposed effects of marijuana. Developed measures such as laws that regulate driving while intoxicated and work environment’s codes of conduct have regulated alcohol consumption and can be used to regulate consumption of marijuana at places

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 61

Philosophy - Essay Example As for Robin Penslar and Aaron Ridley, utilitarianism is teleological moral theory which asserts that the correct action is a function of its consequences ("the greatest good for the greatest number") which can be predicted. The consequences of the good must be distributed as widely as possible; the person making moral choice should look not only for personal good or for whom they care about, but also for welfare. The choice made is provided by the rationale and logical argument and a person can use it on an individual basis. According to this ethical theory, the correctness of behavior is determined by its final use. The supporters of the theory say the utilitarian principle is the only moral criterion of human acts, and this principle is to ensure that we should always seek to maximize the predominance of good over evil. The ethics of utilitarianism defines natural process in a person coming into antagonism with itself in consciousness. According to the utilitarism morality is based upon the common good (happiness for most people) which Bentham called the common benefit, of course, distinguishing it from self-interest, or personal benefit. Under the principle of common benefit he understood the principle of action selection and evaluation of acts, which focuses on the greatest possible benefit. If the act concerns the interests of the community, we are talking about the benefits (happiness) of community, if it is about the interests of the individual, so, the benefits of the individual is a predominant thing. Utilitarism is also a theory directed against selfishness. The admissibility of pleasure or profit made in each case is determined by whether they contribute to a higher purpose. The definition (assessment) of phenomena and events either good or bad is also based on that principle. And according to the theory a person should (bearing in mind the supreme moral principle) strive to provide at