Aristotle and Weed
Philosopy - Ethics
Assignment #1 – Aristotle
What Would Aristotle Think About Legalizing Marijuana?
What would Aristotle think about legalizing Marijuana? When attempting to speculate on how Aristotle would feel about this inquiry, I feel that only one thing must be addressed. What kind of person does marijuana make me, and does the legalization of marijuana increase or decrease a person’s ability to be happy and good?
What Kind of Person According to Aristotle, the difference between animals and humans is our ability to rationalize and utilize reason. Man is at its most basic level rational animals. Non-rational beings only possess vegetative and appetitive aspects of their mind, whereas humans retain the most important, according to Aristotle, portion of the soul: the rational part. The reason that this is the most important is that it allows us to ascertain genuine happiness. Therefore, since animals and even children do not possess the rational facet of the soul, they cannot achieve true happiness. As humans, our advantage over non-rational beings is our ability to be happy, as defined by Aristotle. Happiness, he states, “is apparently something complete and self-sufficient, since it is the end of the things achievable in action.” (NE 1097b20). So for Aristotle to approve of the legalization of it, marijuana would have to be something that would advance the happiness of humans and promote reason on the part of the soul. So does marijuana foster sensible choices and assist humans in our quest for happiness? Well, when analyzed from a philosophical viewpoint, no. Using drugs diminishes our ability to utilize reason when faced with decisions. It modifies our mindset and transforms us from rational animals into just plain simple animals. Drugs can force one to talk with slurred speech, visibly alter their perceptions of what is going on around them, and even take their freedom of will. So the fact that marijuana decreases human ability to
Assignment #1 – Aristotle
What Would Aristotle Think About Legalizing Marijuana?
What would Aristotle think about legalizing Marijuana? When attempting to speculate on how Aristotle would feel about this inquiry, I feel that only one thing must be addressed. What kind of person does marijuana make me, and does the legalization of marijuana increase or decrease a person’s ability to be happy and good?
What Kind of Person According to Aristotle, the difference between animals and humans is our ability to rationalize and utilize reason. Man is at its most basic level rational animals. Non-rational beings only possess vegetative and appetitive aspects of their mind, whereas humans retain the most important, according to Aristotle, portion of the soul: the rational part. The reason that this is the most important is that it allows us to ascertain genuine happiness. Therefore, since animals and even children do not possess the rational facet of the soul, they cannot achieve true happiness. As humans, our advantage over non-rational beings is our ability to be happy, as defined by Aristotle. Happiness, he states, “is apparently something complete and self-sufficient, since it is the end of the things achievable in action.” (NE 1097b20). So for Aristotle to approve of the legalization of it, marijuana would have to be something that would advance the happiness of humans and promote reason on the part of the soul. So does marijuana foster sensible choices and assist humans in our quest for happiness? Well, when analyzed from a philosophical viewpoint, no. Using drugs diminishes our ability to utilize reason when faced with decisions. It modifies our mindset and transforms us from rational animals into just plain simple animals. Drugs can force one to talk with slurred speech, visibly alter their perceptions of what is going on around them, and even take their freedom of will. So the fact that marijuana decreases human ability to