Preview

Conflicting Viewpoints Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1043 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Conflicting Viewpoints Essay
Manigault Conflicting Viewpoints Essay
M. Lakeisha Manigault
Professor Sharon Thomas
Strayer University
October 19, 2014

Conflicting ViewPoints
Peter Elbow’s introduction to “The Believing Game” and “The Doubting Game” is undeniably the easiest way for anyone to acclimate themselves into the art and the concept of critical thinking. Some of us are already predisposed to unconsciously operate in some of the principles explained by Mr. Elbow and use it daily. While others of us had no idea critical thinking could be so fun, challenging, and rewarding.
The Believing and The Doubting game are principles, mindsets if you will, the invoke one to think outside of the box. To step into a realm of possibility that one’s way of thinking may not be absolutely correct or incorrect. It forces an individual to think objectively and find ways to be discredit a particular belief or idea believed in and support a belief or idea that one doesn’t believe in or agree with. In The Believing Game, Peter Elbow presents to the reader all of the reasons why we should see things objectively. Mainly because an objective mind can make better decisions and an idea or belief is stronger when all possibilities have been exhausted. In addition, The Doubting Game likewise, it strengthens one’s position when the idea or belief has been examined from every angle. Though I believe The Doubting Game is a little more difficult than The Believing Game, I believe both bring an aspect to critical thinking that incites great conversation and problem solving.
This conflicting viewpoint essay will be written regarding the issue of medicinal marijuana and the legalization of the drug across the nation. I personally have no real attachment to marijuana in general however having used it recreationally and witnessed the actual effects of it on a close friend I believe it should be legalized for use in the medical field. I have not preference on whether or not it is legalized in the recreational



References: Collins, Underground Health Reporter. (2011). Holy Basil An Alternative to Medical Marijuana : Underground Health Reporter. Retrieved from http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/holy-basil-an-alternative-to-medical-marijuana-treatmen/#axzz3Gcc1UcJe Jerry S Mandel, PhD. (1998). Providing Medical Marijuana: The Importance of Cannabis. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. Joycelyn Elders, MD. (2004). Myths About Medical Marijuana. Providence Journal. Kevin Sabet, PhD. (2011, October 21). California Medical Association 's Decision Not Based on Public Health. Huffington Post. Michael Bloomberg, MBA. (2013, May 31). The John Gambling Show With Mayor Mike [Radio]. Ralph Nader, LLB (2004, October 8). Drug War Chronicle. US Food and Drug Administration. (2006, April 20). Inter-Agency Advisory. Retrieved from http://www.fda/gov

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Immigration Outline Research

    • 2804 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Throughout this paper, there will be the highly debatable discussion between legalizing medical marijuana and regular marijuana. Both sides of the argument have their pros and cons and there is an in depth description of both sides of the argument. At the end of the day though, the paper thoroughly supports the legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana in general. Medical marijuana less harmful than most other legal tobacco products and has the ability to reduce the pain within ailing people. Cannabis also can be a curable and more natural drug to help people in pain. Marijuana also has the potential to raise the U.S. out of their tough economic struggle as well as lower crime rate and create more jobs for many more people. On the other hand researchers believe that medical marijuana is still bad for people’s health and the government does not know how to regulate the production and sell of marijuana. Both sides have valid arguments, but the pros outweigh the cons by a significant amount. This paper has opinions of lots of credible sources, doctors and researchers explaining their side of the story. But read on to create your own personal opinion.…

    • 2804 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Physicians are always finding ways to better treat their patients. A well-known controversy in today’s society is the use of medical marijuana. Already 28 states of 50 have allowed its citizens to use medical marijuana when prescribed by a physician. However, it is still a controlled substance and a level 1 illegal drug. “In June 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) denied a petition to reschedule marijuana and reiterated that there was no scientific or medical evidence to support such a move (Marcoux, 2013).”…

    • 1230 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Maybe because this method is closer to the critical thinking method, or because it’s easier. However, the main reason why is because this method is all about finding errors. Elbow states that the “monopoly of the doubting game” comes from the idea that people are logical. He points out that we live in a scientific world and pride ourselves on immunity to being gullible. Since people think this way Elbow’s proposal of the Doubting game perfectly fit the mindset for the majority of individuals have. This is also true because as elbow points out, individuals believe the only thing in the brain is the “doubting muscle”. Individual find themselves doubting their work than believing it. Because we are scientifically minded and tend to doubt more often than believe, Elbow’s doubting game reflects the human intellectual process. On the flip side of this, multiple individuals find it easier to believe everything until proven wrong. People demonstrate this be believing anything they hear on the news, taking the word of a friend for fact, and not checking to see if their is fact behind information presented to them. The believing game represents the people who seek to find truth rather than errors. Both of elbow’s methods represent the different mental processes of the majority of…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cohen, P. J. (2010). Medical Marijuana 2010: It 's Time to Fix the Regulatory Vacuum. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38…

    • 778 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Grinspoon, L. (2010). Whither medical marijuana. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 11(2), 75-82. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/910990414?accountid=458…

    • 330 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cited: Hermes, William J.Marijuana: Its Effects on Mind & Body. New York: Chelsea House, 1992.…

    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    English 121

    • 1945 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Introduction: In today’s society, there are many views on the legal status of marijuana. Some people are supporters, others are opposed and there are those who have a neutral view on the issue of marijuana decriminalization and legalization. The following contains a wide range of views, with us living in the United States; we have the right to freedom of speech to express our views and site facts on controversial issues.…

    • 1945 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I have been working on an essay for my composition class. Naturally, I had to write about marijuana! Marijuana is a very honest and controversial issue in society today. Many have been slanderous claims have been made about cannabis in recent history, the truths are slowly starting to come forward. There is so much criticism due to the stereotypical view of what people view as "pot smoker". America thinks that "pot smokers" is the lazy and unmotivated kids of our generation who don't do anything. It is misinformation spread by private interest who needed cannabis illegal for their own personal gains. I strongly believe that marijuana should be legalized for all users.…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Marijuana is one of the most controversial topics in the U.S today. Many associate the substance with some of the most highly addictive and dangerous drugs used in our society. While others claim marijuana to be the safest substance to use to date. One of the biggest debatable topics amongst marijuana use is the legalization of the substance medically. Many people believe marijuana should be accessible to those with terminally ill diseases. While others believe the drug should be illegal at all cost. Medical marijuana presents many negative issues in our society emotionally, medically and socially. Due to the negative effects from the substance, the use of marijuana should remain illegal in the United States.…

    • 1079 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    MICHAEL , M. (1997, January 31). A medical opinion on marijuana. New York Times, p.…

    • 1051 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    We the people in the US try to use reason and logic to determine our laws. as a consequence of this intellectual process, we develop graded scales for punishment and degrees of illegality. The more dangerous an activity the more illegal and higher punishment, lesser activities are either not illegal or endorsed. Marijuana illegality defies this rational thinking in that it is less detrimental than alcohol and cigarettes and yet is treated far worse. Most pharmaceutical drugs can kill if used improperly, like alcohol and tobacco. In the following essay, I will explain how medically prescribed marijuana has a beneficial effect on patients who suffer from certain diseases, both by treating disease symptoms and…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Legalization of Marijuana

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The topic of legalizing marijuana has been a topic of controversy for quite some time now not only throughout our local streets, but throughout the local and into the state government. The legalization of marijuana is such a controversial topic because some are for it and some are against it. People are for the legalization because of the great uses it has towards medicine, the money that could come from the taxation of legalized marijuana, and the emptying of prisons because of the releases of marijuana offenses. The list could go on and on. Other people are against the legalization because it is considered a “gateway drug”, or because the legalization of marijuana would eventually lead to the legalization of harder drugs such as heroine or cocaine. Despite the negative comments about the drug, marijuana should be legalized because it would give the U.S. a huge amount of money from the taxation and regulation of the drug, its uses would greatly impact our health throughout the medical field and throughout our own well being, and would help our fight with the war on drugs and our overcrowded prisons.…

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Legalization of Marijuana

    • 3597 Words
    • 15 Pages

    Several topics in modern day society cause controversy, but one topic that out ranks them all is the legalization of marijuana. The main argument is whether not marijuana should be treated the same as already legalized drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol. Many Americans use marijuana illegally; the people using the drug range from the age of teens to even adults in their eighties. Marijuana is considered by most, especially in legal terms, as a dangerous drug. Although the drug is seen as such, many still continue to use it and argue it should be legalized for several reasons. Both citizens and government officials alike debate this topic. To successfully develop and argument for the legalization of marijuana the topic must be defined, the history of the topic must be unveiled, an argument must be made, and a good solution should be proposed. Yes, both sides of the argument both have well supported positions, but marijuana should be legalized by the United States government because the facts supporting legalization far outweigh the arguments keeping the drug as it is.…

    • 3597 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Opposing Viewpoints Essay

    • 1550 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Everyone has their own opinion. The person sitting next to you can have an entirely different outlook on something you do. Having different opinions is what makes for interesting arguments. Especially an author and a critic… like Steven Johnson and Dana Stevens. In the article “Watching TV Makes You Smarter”, Steven Johnson believes that TV does make you smarter, while in her article “Thinking Outside the Idiot Box” Dana Stevens completely disagrees and critiques his article. The two have opposing views on the topic. Both these writers use different examples of ethos, pathos, and logos in their articles to back up their opinion and make for an interesting argument. In my opinion, Dana Stevens overall did a better job at using ethos, pathos, and logos to back up her argument. “From the vantage point of someone who watches a hell of a lot of TV (but still far less than the average American), the medium seems neither like a brain-liquefying poison nor a salutary tonic” (Stevens, 2012, p. 298). This quote is what Steven really tries to prove the whole article and back up with her arguments.…

    • 1550 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Trossman, S. (2010). Exploring the science of medical marijuana. The American Nurse, 42(3), 1, 7. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umsl.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=108&sid=d7ae271d-ac18-46a9-9ddd-ee1df600ce51%40sessionmgr112…

    • 5889 Words
    • 24 Pages
    Better Essays