Practical Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity - 2nd Edition

by Kretchmar, R. Scott

• ISBN13: 9780736001410
• ISBN10: 0736001417
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-01-05
• Publisher: HUMAN KINETICS PUBLISHERS

Summary

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 Iintroduces students to the nature and methods of philosophy. Part IIfocuses on issues relating to the nature of the athlete or client and includes analyses of dualism, scientific materialism, and holism. Part IIIdelves into kinesiology issues, including the nature of play, games, and competition, and Part IVprovides 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.

Author Biography

R. Scott Kretchmar is a professor of exercise and sport science at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xv
PART I The Nature and Methods of Philosophy	1	(44)
Chapter 1 Philosophy and Kinesiology	3	(20)
The Nature of Philosophy	5	(7)
The Case for Philosophy	12	(5)
Philosophic Questions	17	(3)
Review	20	(1)
Looking Ahead	20	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	21	(2)
Chapter 2 Pursuing Philosophic Answers	23	(22)
Initiating a Philosophic Analysis	25	(4)
Applying Philosophic Reasoning to Complex Issues	29	(10)
Conclusions About Philosophic Reasoning	39	(4)
Review	43	(1)
Looking Ahead	43	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	44	(1)
PART II Human Beings and Physical Activity	45	(92)
Chapter 3 Mind-Body Dualism	47	(16)
Introduction to Dualism	49	(1)
Five Kinds of Dualism	50	(2)
Assets and Liabilities	52	(10)
Review	62	(1)
Looking Ahead	62	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	62	(1)
Chapter 4 Scientific Materialism	63	(16)
Introduction to Scientific Materialism	64	(2)
Four Kinds of Scientific Materialism	66	(3)
Assets and Liabilities	69	(8)
Review	77	(1)
Looking Ahead	78	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	78	(1)
Chapter 5 Tournaments of Dualism and Materialism	79	(22)
Two Tournaments	80	(1)
Tournament of Dualism	81	(9)
Tournament of Materialism	90	(8)
Review Looking Ahead	98	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	99	(2)
Chapter 6 Holism	101	(18)
Significance of Holism	103	(1)
Early Expressions of Holism	104	(5)
Five Principles for a New Vision	109	(4)
A Horizontal Interpretation	113	(4)
Review	117	(1)
Looking Ahead	117	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	118	(1)
Chapter 7 Holism: From Theory to Practice	119	(18)
Four Implications of Holism	120	(6)
Five Holistic Strategies	126	(8)
Review	134	(1)
Looking Ahead	134	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	135	(2)
PART III The Subject Matter of Kinesiology	137	(44)
Chapter 8 Creating Movement Playgrounds	139	(20)
The Case for Health Through Active Living	141	(6)
The Nature of Play	147	(3)
Finding and Growing Playgrounds	150	(4)
Growing Players and Playgrounds	154	(3)
Review	157	(1)
Looking Ahead	158	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	158	(1)
Chapter 9 Understanding Games, Competition, and Winning	159	(22)
The Nature of Games	161	(9)
The Value of Competition	170	(4)
Other Forms of Movement	174	(3)
Scientized Movement and Cultural Activity	177	(3)
Review	180	(1)
Looking Ahead	180	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	180	(1)
PART IV Ethics, Value Choices, and the Good Life	181	(74)
Chapter 10 Developing Sound Professional Ethics	183	(22)
Introduction to Ethics	185	(1)
Developing Moral Confidence	186	(5)
Developing Good Moral Attitudes and Habits	191	(12)
Review	203	(1)
Looking Ahead	204	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	204	(1)
Chapter 11 Physical Activity and the Good Life	205	(26)
The Good Life	206	(4)
Why Prioritize Values?	210	(9)
Making Value Choices	219	(3)
Ranking Values	222	(7)
Review	229	(1)
Looking Ahead	230	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	230	(1)
Chapter 12 The Active Lifestyle	231	(24)
Health and Fun. Powerful Extrinsic Values	232	(7)
Knowledge and Skill: Powerful Intrinsic Values	239	(7)
Four Versions of the Active Lifestyle	246	(6)
Summary: The Good Life, Health, and Movement	252	(1)
Review	253	(1)
Checking Your Understanding	254	(1)
Appendix: Case Studies	255	(31)
Bibliography	286	(7)
Index	293	(10)
About the Author	303