The legalization of drugs is advocated by no less respectable people t...
(A) Argues from the specific to the general.
This option refers to an argument that moves from specific examples or instances to make a general claim. In the given argument, there is no clear indication that the author is using specific examples to make a general claim, so this option does not accurately describe the author's approach.
(B) Attacks the motives of her opponents.
This option suggests that the author attacks the motives of those who oppose drug legalization. However, there is no indication in the argument that the author engages in attacking or questioning the motives of any opponents. Therefore, this option does not apply.
(C) Uses the positions of noted social commentators to support her position.
This option accurately describes the approach taken by the author. The author appeals to the positions of respected individuals, William F. Buckley and federal judge Edmund J. Reinholt, to support the argument for drug legalization. By referencing these figures, the author attempts to lend credibility and authority to their own position.
(D) Argues in a circular manner.
Circular reasoning occurs when the argument restates the claim as evidence or assumes the conclusion in the premise. In the given argument, there is no evidence of circular reasoning. The author presents the positions of respected individuals as support for their claim, rather than merely restating the claim itself.
(E) Claims that her position is correct because others cannot disprove it.
This option refers to the fallacy of shifting the burden of proof, where one asserts that their position is correct because it has not been disproven. In the given argument, the author does not explicitly claim that their position is correct based on the inability of others to disprove it. Instead, they use the positions of respected individuals as evidence to support their position.
To summarize, option (C) accurately describes the approach used by the author in the given argument, as they rely on the positions of noted social commentators to bolster their position in favor of drug legalization.