PHI103 Ashford Sex Education in Public Schools Essay Demonstrate the ability to create high-quality arguments on both sides of an issue, to support your re

PHI103 Ashford Sex Education in Public Schools Essay Demonstrate the ability to create high-quality arguments on both sides of an issue, to support your reasoning with scholarly sources, and to provide a fair analysis of the strength of the reasoning on each side.

Your paper must include the following sections, clearly labeled:

Introduction
Introduce readers to your topic; include a brief preview of what you will accomplish in this paper. (approximately 150 words)
First Argument
Present the best argument on one side of the issue. (approximately 150 words)
Express your argument in standard form, with the premises listed one by one above the conclusion.
Defense for First Argument
Support the first argument as well as you can, using academic sources to demonstrate the truth of key premises. You may also choose to clarify the meaning of key premises and to explain how your reasoning supports the conclusion (approximately 250 words).
Opposing Argument
Present the best argument on the other side of the issue (approximately 150 words).
Express your argument in standard form.
Defense of Opposing Argument
Support the opposing argument as well as you can, using academic sources to demonstrate the truth of key premises. You are welcome as well to clarify the meaning of premises and/or to explain the reasoning further (approximately 250 words).
Analysis of the Reasoning (approximately 350 words)
Evaluate the quality of each argument, addressing whether key premises are true and whether the conclusion logically follows from them.
Analyze arguments for any fallacies committed or for any biases that may influence either side. Do you feel that one argument makes a much stronger case than the other and why? (There is no need to “take sides,” only to assess the quality of the arguments.)
Support your analysis with scholarly sources.
Conclusion (approximately 150 words)
Provide a brief conclusion and summary of your issue and how it can best be addressed by critical thinkers.
An example of a good paper is attached!!
Also attached are papers leading up to the final paper on the same content. Please incorporate the information already given in the previous papers. Running head: IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
Is Marijuana Use Safe?
Dr. Christopher Foster
PHI103 Informal Logic
Ashford University
Modeled example for the final paper assignment
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IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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In recent years, many states have voted to legalize marijuana, both for medical and
recreational uses, with other states possibly following suit in the future (Sanders, 2018).
However, federal law still prohibits the use or sale of marijuana in the United States. With the
recent decision by the Justice department to crack down on marijuana distribution in states with
legalized marijuana (Johnson, 2018), the question returns of whether those federal laws have real
medical science on their side, or whether they are relics of the politics of a bygone era (Ripley,
2017). This paper will begin to explore the specific question of whether marijuana use is harmful
to health. It will present a strong argument that marijuana is relatively safe and a strong argument
that it is unacceptably dangerous. This will be followed by an analysis of the merits of reasoning
and support provided by each.
Argument that Marijuana Use is Safe
Premise 1: Many studies have been done on the safety of marijuana use, and pooling
their data creates a large and reliable data set from which to determine the effects of
marijuana usage (Grant, Gonzales, Carey, Natarajan, & Wolfson, 2003).
Premise 2: Pooling the data from studies on the effects of marijuana usage shows no
significant cognitive impairment in reaction time, attention, language, executive function,
perceptual function, and motor skills in marijuana users (2003).
Premise 3: Meta-data showed minor cognitive impairment from long term marijuana only
in the areas of learning and memory, but these were minor and can be minimized (e.g., in
a medical context) (2003).
Premise 4: Marijuana has beneficial uses that outweigh its minor harms (Wetterau, 2015).
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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Premise 5: If a substance has beneficial uses that outweigh its harms then its use is
acceptably safe.
Conclusion: Marijuana use is acceptably safe.
Support for the Argument that Marijuana is Safe
A giant meta-study pooled data from many research studies of the effects of marijuana
use and determined that marijuana use did not result in significant change in performance in six
of eight cognitive areas (Grant et al., 2003). Because the study considered all relevant research
studies and had a large data pool, these results can be considered reliable. Thus, there is
substantial support for the first two premises of the argument.
The two areas in which there was a decrease in function, learning and memory, showed
relatively minor effects, which could be mitigated, for example, in medical contexts. For
example, the declines were the result of long term and/or recent use of marijuana. Casual users or
medical users may not experience even those minor declines in performance (Grant et al., 2003).
There are many documented medical benefits from marijuana use, including for nausea,
AIDS, chemotherapy, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, MS, and Huntington’s disease. The
risks of harm from the use of a potentially addictive drug can be mitigated with proper
precautions from a physician (Wetterau, 2015).
The fifth premise is difficult to prove specifically because of different possible
interpretations of what it means for something to be ‘acceptably’ safe. However, various
academic articles support the idea that marijuana’s level of risk is within acceptable limits. Some
argue, for example, that it is safer than alcohol and even some foods (Americans for Safe Access,
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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2018), so if those substances are considered safe enough to be legal, then perhaps marijuana
should be too.
Furthermore, one can weigh the harms of its use against the harms of its criminalization.
One author, for example, reasons, “Given that marijuana’s harms appear to be relatively small,
though, advocates argue that, even if legalization leads to more pot use, it’s worth the benefit of
reducing incarceration and crippling violent drug cartels financed in part by revenue from illicit
weed sales” (Lopez, 2018). Therefore, one can reason, its use is safe relative to the harms of its
prohibition, and therefore that constitutes an acceptable level of risk.
Argument that Marijuana Use is Unsafe
Premise 1: Marijuana is an addictive substance (Volkow, Baler, Compton, & Weiss,
2014).
Premise 2: Marijuana use causes long term negative effects on physical and mental health
(Feeney & Kampman, 2016).
Premise 3: Marijuana use causes elevated driving risks (Neavyn, Blohm, Babu, & Bird,
2014).
Premise 4: Marijuana use among adolescents is correlated with lower academic
achievement, job performance, and social functioning (Palamar et al., 2014).
Premise 5: It is unsafe to use substances that are addictive and that have many negative
effects.
Conclusion: It is unsafe to use Marijuana.
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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Support for the Argument that Marijuana is Unsafe
The first four premises of the argument are supported by studies indicating each of the
effects in question. The degree to which these effects depend upon the quantity and duration of
use, along with the age of the user and recentness of use is still an open question. However, the
multiple studies cited do seem to support strongly the idea that the use of this substance can
cause lasting harm.
The fifth premise links the facts given in the first four premises to the language of the
conclusion. It shows that any substance that has the properties demonstrated in the first premises
will qualify as unsafe, thus demonstrating the truth of the conclusion. Furthermore, the fifth
premise makes a substantial point that weighs against even medical uses of the product. Though
the consequences of strictly medical uses may be relatively minor, if a product is addictive and
has harmful consequences, then users are likely to continue to use it beyond its medicinal value,
resulting in long term harms (Wetterau, 2015).
The fact that there have been demonstrated risks associated with the use of marijuana
indicates that researchers should caution against the legalization of the product, especially since
its legalization could to lead to greater social acceptability and more widespread use, especially
among teens. Seen in this light, these harms become quite significant and suggestion strong
caution against the legalization and use of the substance.
Analysis of the Reasoning on Both Sides
As noted, both arguments have premises that are supported by substantial scholarly
research. Both arguments additionally provide strong support for the truth of their conclusions.
Each even includes a premise that links the factual claims made in the previous premises to the
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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specific judgment made by the conclusion, resulting in powerful support for the truth of each
conclusion. However, their conclusions make opposite points, resulting in an apparent
contradiction. There is a good question, therefore, of how to determine which of these
conclusions is most likely to be true.
There are several factors that can be used to explain this strong evidence for opposite
conclusions. One is that authors, even authors of scholarly meta-studies, are frequently going to
put more focus on studies whose results tend to support the conclusions that they personally
support. Furthermore, each study will focus on factors that strengthen the case for its preferred
side. For example, a scholar whose research supports the use of marijuana might focus on
mitigating factors such as the fact that dosages can be carefully controlled in a medical setting.
Researchers on the side of the opposition, on the other hand, may emphasize that addicted users
are likely to use the substance in doses well beyond those recommended by physicians.
Given the fact that even scholars can approach such issues from biased points of view, it
is difficult to arrive at one and only one ‘objective fact’ about whether marijuana use is
acceptably safe or unacceptably dangerous. However, study of scholarly sources on both sides of
this issue allows critical thinkers to be more aware of the types of risks and benefits and to be
able to weigh the concerns for and against the use of the substance as objectively as one can. Use
of non-scholarly sources, by contrast, can lead one to partisan advocacy in which one is not as
objectively aware of the substantive considerations on both sides of the question.
Having studies both sides of this question, my own evaluation of the research indicates
that long term marijuana use, or use at a young age, can have deleterious health consequences.
However, use by adults in the limited context of medical application can have benefits that
render the risks acceptable (Grant et al., 2003). Furthermore, in a medical setting, the use is
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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typically controlled, temporary, and supervised by a physician. Therefore, the level of risks in
these contexts, especially when contrasted with those of many other legal prescription drugs,
may fall within an acceptable range.
Conclusion
It is common for people to be wedded to a position and to seek evidence only to support
their side. However, in pursuit of truth, critical thinkers make a point of understanding the best
arguments on all sides of important questions. This allows them to be more informed and also
more fair-minded, open to changing their views to whichever position most aligns with the best
evidence.
Having researched the topic of marijuana use, I have found strong support for contrasting
positions. On the one hand, there appears to be strong evidence for some potential harms
associated with long term use of the substance. On the other hand, when it comes to medical
applications, which tend to be short term and in which there are real medical benefits, these risks
may fall within acceptable limits.
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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References
Americans for Safe Access (2018). Cannabis safety. Retrieved from
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/cannabis_safety
Feeney, K. E., & Kampman, K. M. (2016). Adverse effects of marijuana use. The Linacre
Quarterly, 83(2), 174-178. https://doi.org/10.1080/00243639.2016.1175707
Grant, I., Gonzales, R., Carey, C. L., Natarajan, L., & Wolfson, T. (2003). Non-acute (residual)
neurocognitive effects of cannabis use: A meta-analytic study. Journal of the
International Neuropsychological Society, 9(5), 679-689.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617703950016
Lopez, G. (2018). Marijuana is a relatively safe drug—with some risks. Retrieved from
https://www.vox.com/cards/marijuana-legalization/health-effects-marijuana
Neavyn, M. J., Blohm, E., Babu, K. M., & Bird, S. B. (2014). Medical marijuana and driving: A
review. Journal of Medical Toxicology 10(3), 269-279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181014-0393-4
Palamar, J. J., Fenstermaker, M., Kamboukos, D., Ompad, D. C., Cleland, C. M., & Weitzman,
M. (2014). Adverse psychosocial outcomes associated with drug use among US high
school seniors: A comparison of alcohol and marijuana. American Journal of Drug and
Alcohol Abuse, 40(6), 438-446. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2014.943371
Ripley, E. (2017, December 20). Why is marijuana illegal? A look at the history of MJ in
America. Retrieved from https://news.medicalmarijuanainc.com/the-road-to-prohibitionwhy-did-america-make-marijuana-illegal-in-the-first-place/
IS MARIJUANA USE SAFE?
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Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., & Weiss, S. R. B. (2014). Adverse health effects
of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370, 2219-2227.
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1402309
Wetterau, N. (2015). Medical marijuana—Can we do no harm? Family Doctor: A Journal of the
New York State Academy of Family Physicians, 3(3), 16-20. Retrieved from
http://www.nysafp.org/News/Family-Doctor-A-Journal-for-the-NYSAFP
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Running Head: SEX EDUCATION
The Question of Sex Education
Savannah Silva
PHI103
Joel VanZanten
February 25, 2018
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SEX EDUCATION
Sex education is used to describe schooling about the human sexual framework,
reproduction, and intercourse and it involves more features of human sexual conduct.
Curriculums of some schools in the United States have a component of sex education, but it has
raised a massive debate especially concerning the age at which it is taught to children in schools
and how much detail should be involved (Science Daily, n.d.)
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of sex education in schools in the US.
Argument One: Very well Health
Very well Health is an online blog based in New York that provides health information on
a variety of medical topics. In one of its recent blogs, it explores the pros of sex education in
schools which include helping boys become better men, gaining more understanding of condom
use and teaching teenagers about the risk of different sexual activities as well as comprehensive
sexual education.
When kids are aware of the risks of different sexual activities, they are more likely to say
NO. When they’re taught about the benefits of abstinence, they are skeptical because this is
something they have not tried before. Therefore, showing them the different risks of sexual
behavior paints a better picture and helps them make better decisions about sexual activities. The
best sex education programs are those that elucidate the high risks of different sexual behaviors
such as sexually transmitted diseases. Besides, comprehensive sexual education programs look
beyond abstinence and give kids a genuine way to have safe sexual intercourse (Very well health,
2019).
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SEX EDUCATION
This argument is highly reasonable because students need to dive deep into the
consequences and risks of each decision they take when it comes to their health due to their
adventurous nature and therefore when they know the risks involved, they will be more cautious
and make better-informed decisions. With comprehensive sexual education, students can have an
idea of safe sex practices, and this may help safeguard them as sexual intercourse may
sometimes be inevitable amongst adolescents. The argument explains the impact of sex
education in schools and should, therefore, be taught in all public schools. However, the article
did not cite any research work done on the effectiveness of sexual intercourse risk behaviors as a
form of sex education. Policymakers make decisions backed up by evidence and therefore more
research needs to be done around this premise to be highly validated to inform better and more
effective sex education practices in schools. This, therefore, means that the argument is
reasonable but is not of high quality and should be backed by more data from sex education
programs around the country. In conclusion, whereas there is no statistical significance of sexual
education cited by the article, it brings out the positive impact that sex education has on schools
in the US.
Argument Two: The Charles Street Times
The Charles Street Times is an online blog written by students and freelance writers.
David Bloom wrote this particular blog. In his blog, he emphasizes that although sex education is
highly beneficial, if not properly delivered, it can create an illusion to students that having sex
before marriage is the norm.
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SEX EDUCATION
Sex education in schools may send mixed feelings about sexual behaviors. The AIDs
endemic gave birth to teaching students about safer ways to have sexual intercourse, but whereas
it is taught to draw a picture of the risks of sexual behaviors, students sometimes see what they
are taught in different aspects. When the students learn about safer ways to have sex, they
believe that it is entirely okay to have sex even at an early stage in their lives before marriage.
Therefore, sex education in schools is vital but not always practical, and care should be taken to
use the right approaches (Bloom, 2018).
This argument depicts the downside of sex education in schools. Whereas there are
numerous ways of practicing safe sexual intercourse, teaching kids about the methods may
influence them to go out and try them and may lead to undeserved consequences. Although most
studies on the internet have indicated that sexual education delays sex among teenagers, this may
not be true in some cases. The blog, therefore, has a strong argument and care should be taken to
evaluate the state of the learners and choose the most appropriate method of delivering sex
education in schools. According to (Only my health, 2009), most of the instructors assigned to
giving sexual education are not experts in the field and may have unclear thoughts about human
sexual intercourse behaviors. This is very damaging as inaccurate information is particularly
dangerous can mislead the students. Children have a susceptible mind, and any wrong or
incorrect information can lead to very ignorant adults in the future. In conclusion, sex education
is essential and should, therefore, be taught in public schools but to have a positive impact on the
learners, appropriate delivery methods need to be in place, and an expert should conduct the
lessons in the subject.
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SEX EDUCATION
References
Bloom, D. (2018, October 9). Pros and Cons of Sex Education. Retrieved from The Charles
Street Times: https://lindynews.org/4233/opinion/pro-con/pros-and-cons-of-sexeducation/
Only my heath. (2009, April 9). Pros and Cons of Sex Education in Schools. Retrieved from
Only my heath: https://www.onlymyhealth.com/sex-education-in-schools-proscons-1310535352says
Science Daily. (n.d.). Sex education. Retrieved from Science Daily: https://
www.sciencedaily.com/terms/sex_education.htm
Verywell health. (2019, January 14). Top 10 Reasons to Support Sex Education in Schools.
Retrieved from Verywell health: https://www.verywellhealth.com/supportcomprehensive-education-schools-3133083
Running Head: SHOULD SEX EDUCATION BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Should Sex Education be Taught in Public Schools?
Savannah Silva
PHI/103
Joel VanZanten
March 11, 2019
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SHOULD SEX EDUCATION BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
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Introduction
Sex education refers to the process of administering and receiving information that helps
in developing positive attitude and views about sex, sexual personality, interactions, and
understandings. Through learning, the young form a basis upon which they make informed
decisions regarding their behavior and the comfort at which they act on their choices. In regards
to this topic, the specific aspect we are trying to look at is whether sex education can achieve the
social, psychological and health benefits goals for the present and future generations or not.
From the instructor’s point of view, it is inevitable that people can’t evade from discussing issues
on sex education even if they make us uncomfortable.
Presentation of an Argument
One of the scholarly sources that exclusively discuss sex education argues that there is
need to offer comprehensive sex education and factual information to children at an early stage
of development to take care and keep themselves and their fellows safe. Given the fact that there
has been a rise in the number of cases on early pregnancy among the youths and reports of teens
having fallen victims of Sexually Transmitted Infections, introduction of sex education in public
schools is viewed as the footprint towards reducing and eliminating early pregnancies, STIs and
other problematic issues that arise due to youths making uninformed choices and engaging in
immoral sexual activities.
SHOULD SEX EDUCATION BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
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From the article, comprehensive sex education to a greater extent reduces the dangers that
face the kids, especially from sexual activities. The various programs can be integrated into sex
education, thus offering facts, instill positive beliefs and right attitude which all translate to the
making of informed and viable choices am…
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