Stone Murphy

Activist, Christian, Concerned citizen, Public servant, Social entrepreneur, Student, Writer/Editor

Rising sophomore and Political Science major at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts with a strong academic and career drive. Concentrations in Psychology and Philosophy. Elected to Student Senate as representative of the WNE class of 2023. Member of Model United Nations. Selected to be a Chang-Chavkin scholar. Advocate for social tolerance, community building, equal opportunity, and honesty. Above all else, I'd like to be lost in nature with my dog.

I am passionate about human consciousness and the human experience. I take special interest in political affairs and issues, moral philosophy, and psychology. My political interests are led by my passion for economically sensible environmental and animal rights activism. I have chosen to pursue politics professionally over my other two listed interests. Philosophy (and to entertain ideas without drawing conclusions) is one of the greatest human gifts. I prefer to enjoy this on my free time. Psychology and neuroscience are rapidly expanding studies, but I find my interests wander more into psycho-analysis and armchair psychology rather than the demanding integrity to the scientific method that characterizes the brilliant modern psychologist.

The extraordinary and untapped benefits of alternative medicine in psychological therapy and the mental health community is an idea worth spreading. The lack of federal attention and resistance to scheduling reformation of medicinal substances is a disservice to the American public and global health at large. Several over the counter medications are directly to blame for the opioid crisis--an issue that ravages both Springfield and my hometown of Pittsfield, MA--while psilocybin has been found to ease fear of death in cancer patients without causing physiological damage. MDMA, in clinical settings, reduces the impact of PTSD on our veterans. Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson has long predicted the role Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) could play in the cessation of chronic addictions. Studies have found the substance has profound impacts in smoking cessation and is far more effective than alternative means of nicotine. Above all else of course: Marijuana. The veil has been torn regarding the misrepresentation of this federally vilified drug and needs no further explanation. This issue has shaped me today. My parents both individually fell into the labyrinth of alcohol, opioids, and narcotics addictions. This labyrinth is a direct result of the failed War on Drugs and structural bureaucratic inefficiency pertaining, but not limited to, the DEA. Proper medical treatment, paired with ongoing and diligent hard work, has reduced the crippling social effects of my Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It has helped me straighten out my back, take on responsibility, serve my community, and publicly advocate for what I believe in.

Leadership and Government, Legislative Process, Political Science

is hopefully just beginning!

Connecting the several morals and worldviews present in Star Wars to the morals and worldviews of our real world.