Phil. 98 is an introduction to the discipline of philosophy by way of questions that arise in the context of sports. That is, we will work our way towards philosophical issues by working through more practical debates that arise in the context of sports.
For example, what (if anything) is wrong with using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs)? Is it cheating? What is it to cheat? And what’s wrong with cheating anyhow? Are PEDs dangerous? Many sports are dangerous, some can even be life-threatening. So, what’s wrong with something’s being dangerous? And even if PEDs are dangerous, does that give anyone aside from the athlete him- or herself the right to stop the athlete from using them? Are PEDs unnatural? What does “natural” mean in the context of human life? Lots of things we do are “unnatural” in some sense. Both cosmetic surgery and hi-tech sports equipment are “unnatural” in some sense. Should they be banned?
Another example: what’s the difference between an amateur and a professional, and why does this distinction matter? Do amateurs play for “love of the game,” while professionals earn money? Can’t someone who earns money, even lots of money, playing a professional sport also or even primarily play for love of the game? Should collegiate athletes be paid? Are big time collegiate athletes exploited by their institutions, by the television networks, by their fans, by the viewing public? Do the pressures of professional or collegiate athletics place an alienating barrier between the athlete and his or her sport? Between the athlete and his or her education?
We all debate questions like these, and when we do we often hit barriers to our understanding. Those barriers are philosophical: What are the ethics of competition and games? May anyone dictate to an adult what he or she does to or with his or her own body? What is the distinction between the natural and the artificial? What is exploitation? What is alienation? These are all philosophical questions, and we will examine them through a range of literature, including contemporary contributions to the growing discussion of the philosophy sport and journalism focused on current issues.
To be exposed to philosophical reflection, perhaps for the first time.
To become familiar with some of the philosophical issues that arise in the context of sport.
To understand the distinction between reasoned argumentation and the mere assertion of a point of view.
To learn to write a short philosophical essay in the thesis-objection-response format.
This course is neither a general overview of the discipline nor a systematic introduction for likely majors in philosophy.