Philosophy is a crucial, yet often overlooked, part of kinesiology students’ education.
Practical Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity, Second Edition, provides students with a thorough, clear, and practical introduction to the philosophy of physical activity and sport, and in doing so, prepares them for the ethical questions they will face as professionals.
This second edition has been significantly revised, and it has been enhanced to include the following features:
- Expanded instruction on practical ethics in physical activity, guiding students in how to rank values and turn those values into actions
- New material that emphasizes physical activity as well as sport, and provides specific holistic techniques for the practitioner in the workplace
- In-depth case studies along with discussion questions that can be used to teach students how to follow a philosophical argument and come to their own conclusions
The case studies, one on running up the score and the other on performance-enhancing substances, are based on two articles that are reprinted in their entirety in the appendix.
Practical Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity, Second Edition, helps students examine key moral questions in sport. Its approach to the content helps students follow and dissect ethical arguments, think through philosophic issues, and apply theory to practice. Each chapter includes objectives, philosophical exercises, reviews, and study questions to reinforce understanding. Kretchmar’s engaging writing style accentuates important topics of discussion, focusing the readers’ attention on the philosophy behind the practice or strategy. As a result, students develop their philosophical skills, refine their personal philosophy concerning physical activity and sport, and learn that philosophy can be clear, practical, and holistic, rather than obscure, overly theoretical, and dualistic.
The text is arranged in four parts.
Part I introduces students to the nature and methods of philosophy.
Part II focuses on issues relating to the nature of the athlete or client and includes analyses of dualism, scientific materialism, and holism.
Part III delves into kinesiology issues, including the nature of play, games, and competition, and
Part IV provides expanded material on ethics, value choices, and active lifestyles.
This text provides students with the practical tools and specific techniques they need to think ethically and systematically, as they become skilled practitioners in the field of physical activity and sport. In doing so, it demystifies philosophy and reveals it as the guiding element in our understanding of, and approach to, activity, games, and competitions.
Part I: The Nature and Methods of Philosophy
Chapter 1. Philosophy and Kinesiology
- The Nature of Philosophy
- The Case for Philosophy
- Philosophic Questions
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 2. Pursuing Philosophic Answers
- Initiating a Philosophic Analysis
- Applying Philosophic Reasoning to Complex Issues
- Conclusions About Philosophic Reasoning
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Part II: Human Beings and Physical Activity
Chapter 3. Mind–Body Dualism
- Introduction to Dualism
- Five Kinds of Dualism
- Assets and Liabilities
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 4. Scientific Materialism
- Introduction to Scientific Materialism
- Four Kinds of Scientific Materialism
- Assets and Liabilities
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 5. Tournaments of Dualism and Materialism
- Two Tournaments
- Tournament of Dualism
- Tournament of Materialism
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 6. Holism
- Significance of Holism
- Early Expressions of Holism
- Five Principles for a New Vision
- A Horizontal Interpretation
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 7. Holism: From Theory to Practice
- Four Implications of Holism
- Five Holistic Strategies
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Part III: The Subject Matter of Kinesiology
Chapter 8. Creating Movement Playgrounds
- The Case for Health Through Active Living
- The Nature of Play
- Finding and Growing Playgrounds
- Growing Players and Playgrounds
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 9. Understanding Games, Competition, and Winning
- The Nature of Games
- The Value of Competition
- Other Forms of Movement
- Scientized Movement and Cultural Activity
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Part IV: Ethics, Value Choices, and the Good Life
Chapter 10. Developing Sound Professional Ethics
- Introduction to Ethics
- Developing Moral Confidence
- Developing Good Moral Attitudes and Habits
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 11. Physical Activity and the Good Life
- The Good Life
- Why Prioritize Values?
- Making Value Choices
- Ranking Values
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Chapter 12. The Active Lifestyle
- Health and Fun: Powerful Extrinsic Values
- Knowledge and Skill: Powerful Intrinsic Values
- Four Versions of the Active Lifestyle
- Summary: The Good Life, Health, and Movement
- Review
- Looking Ahead
- Checking Your Understanding
Appendix. Case Studies
A textbook for undergraduate students in kinesiology or physical activity programs taking a sport philosophy or ethics course. Also a great philosophy textbook for students pursuing a sport management degree. Reference for social science professionals and libraries.
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