Sport: A Philosophical Inquiry

By Paul Weiss and Professor Paul Weiss PhD

Book Overview

In a wide-ranging study of unusual interest, Paul Weiss, Sterling Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, applies the principles and methods of philosophy to athletics. Every culture, he notes, has games of some kind; few activities seem to interest both children and young men as much as sports do; and few attract so many spectators, rich and poor. Yet none of the great philosophers, claiming to take all knowledge and being as their province, have made more than a passing reference to sport, in part, Professor Weiss suggests, because they thought that what pleased the vulgar was not worth sustained study by the leisured.

This seminal book breaks new ground and explores new paths: psychological and sociological forms of human behavior exhibited in games; the physiology of athletics, and the efforts of training and conditioning; and the motivation of athletics-- the rhythm and aims of contests and games, and the meaning of team play. More importantly, however, Professor Weiss's unique contributions lie in his discussions of the distinct contributions that sport makes to civilization.

Professor Weiss discusses at length such topics as the Olympic Games and men and women as amateur and pro­fessional athletes-- and their sacrifices, defeats, and humilia­tions. And he delineates the stages the athlete must go through in his progress toward self-completion.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809305011
• ISBN13: 9780809305018
• Release Date: March 1971
• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.9" x 0.8" x 4.9"

Customer Reviews

A Philosophic inquiry on Sport

Table of Contents Chapter 1 Concern for excellence 2 The attraction of athletes 3 The challenge of the body 4 Dedicated men 5 The equipped body 6 Health 7 The athlete in action 8 The athlete in action: endurance, strength, accuracy, coordination 9 Play, sport, and game 10 The game 11 The urge to win 12 Ameteurs and professionals 13 Women athletes 14 The standardization of sport 15 A metaphysical excursus

Great read

This book is a great read from start to finish. Weiss takes a concept never before written upon, and delves completely into it. He starts off so simply so as not to lose the reader even with one single assumption. A credit to Weiss' diligence and persistence. He does not miss a single thing. Although a little out of date by todays standards, it is still a good basis with which anyone writing or reading about sports philosophy should start.