When a state is neutral between different concepts of the good life, then it should not prohibit the use of recreational drugs based on the “best judge” argument. This argument says that people are the best judges regarding what is in their best interest when pertaining to the good life (Caney 463). Individuals should be allowed to partake in recreational drugs because a neutral state allows them the autonomy to make decisions free from coercion, which helps shape a person’s personal identity.
The first argument in support of the idea that governments should not prohibit the recreational use of drugs, is autonomy. One of the only ways for a government to be neutral in matters pertaining to the good life, is to allow individuals a certain …show more content…
However, some experiments might lead to bad decisions, which are necessary to truly understand what the good life entails. If a government is promoting neutrality towards the good life, but begin to prohibit recreational drug use, then they are imposing on a person’s autonomy to experiment and properly define their life. When the government begins to prohibit certain parts of a person’s personal life, then they begin to coerce a person. This is a form of violation to autonomy, and thus a government’s …show more content…
The epistemological problem is the belief that the government should have a voice in the good life because individuals lack a perfect knowledge of what could be considered valuable goals and principles pertaining to the good life (Caney 463). In this situation, the government might argue that individuals will not make the right decision about recreational drug use, and might become addicts. Therefore, the government should prohibit the recreational use of drugs, to keep individuals from making terrible choices. However, autonomy is needed in one’s life, even when there is a potential for bad decisions, because it helps individuals to establish and shape their own individuality. This individuality is what ultimately makes human beings different from animals, because it is a personal identity that makes one unique and establishes their own concept of the good life. This is a necessity so one may live a fulling life. Without the ability to make mistakes and learn from them an individual will just become a part of the masses, like an animal following his
The first argument in support of the idea that governments should not prohibit the recreational use of drugs, is autonomy. One of the only ways for a government to be neutral in matters pertaining to the good life, is to allow individuals a certain …show more content…
However, some experiments might lead to bad decisions, which are necessary to truly understand what the good life entails. If a government is promoting neutrality towards the good life, but begin to prohibit recreational drug use, then they are imposing on a person’s autonomy to experiment and properly define their life. When the government begins to prohibit certain parts of a person’s personal life, then they begin to coerce a person. This is a form of violation to autonomy, and thus a government’s …show more content…
The epistemological problem is the belief that the government should have a voice in the good life because individuals lack a perfect knowledge of what could be considered valuable goals and principles pertaining to the good life (Caney 463). In this situation, the government might argue that individuals will not make the right decision about recreational drug use, and might become addicts. Therefore, the government should prohibit the recreational use of drugs, to keep individuals from making terrible choices. However, autonomy is needed in one’s life, even when there is a potential for bad decisions, because it helps individuals to establish and shape their own individuality. This individuality is what ultimately makes human beings different from animals, because it is a personal identity that makes one unique and establishes their own concept of the good life. This is a necessity so one may live a fulling life. Without the ability to make mistakes and learn from them an individual will just become a part of the masses, like an animal following his