History and Philosophy in Sport and Physical Education PED 191

History and Philosophy in Sport and Physical Education

History and Philosophy in Sport and Physical Education

PED 191PED 191

Greek ExampleGreek Example

Western world subscribes to Greek metaphysical and ontological positions

Reality consists of two separate components: idea and matter

Metaphysical dualism. Being (existence) is composed of mind

and body Greek ontology is founded upon dualism

Western world subscribes to Greek metaphysical and ontological positions

Reality consists of two separate components: idea and matter

Metaphysical dualism. Being (existence) is composed of mind

and body Greek ontology is founded upon dualism

“Doing” History“Doing” HistoryWorking definition: the study of change

over time or lack of changeHistorians examine how civilizations

and institutions (e.g., sport) change over time identify people and events in this change

Working definition: the study of change over time or lack of change

Historians examine how civilizations and institutions (e.g., sport) change over time identify people and events in this change

“Doing History”“Doing History”

History documents what happened and then asks “who, what, when, or where?”

Descriptive HistoryUsually through artifacts, documents,

photos, etc.Primary sources

History documents what happened and then asks “who, what, when, or where?”

Descriptive HistoryUsually through artifacts, documents,

photos, etc.Primary sources

Why Study (Sport) History?

Why Study (Sport) History?

Provides context and perspective Studying past civilizations helps explain

what various cultures considered important

“Whoever would know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.”1

Predictive History tends to be cyclical “Those who do not know history are

condemned to repeat its mistakes.”2

Provides context and perspective Studying past civilizations helps explain

what various cultures considered important

“Whoever would know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.”1

Predictive History tends to be cyclical “Those who do not know history are

condemned to repeat its mistakes.”2

Sport—ThenSport—Then

. . . and Now. . . and Now

General Types of HistoryGeneral Types of History

Descriptive: Tells what happened in past. Tries to be objective.

Generally concerned with the who, what, when, and where

Also known as chronological or narrative Interpretive: Uses a set of rules or theory to

show and analyze change over time.

Descriptive: Tells what happened in past. Tries to be objective.

Generally concerned with the who, what, when, and where

Also known as chronological or narrative Interpretive: Uses a set of rules or theory to

show and analyze change over time.

General Types of HistoryGeneral Types of History

InterpretiveOften reveals the “how” and “why” Subjective: person selects the theory

or theories that will be used to interpret change over timee.g., feminist, postmodernist, critical

InterpretiveOften reveals the “how” and “why” Subjective: person selects the theory

or theories that will be used to interpret change over timee.g., feminist, postmodernist, critical

Doing History: SourcesDoing History: Sources

Two types: primary and secondaryPrimary

First-hand accountNewspaper and other artifact sources

pottery, statues, poems, etc.

Example: an autobiography or written account by an Olympic athlete at the Athens Games

Two types: primary and secondaryPrimary

First-hand accountNewspaper and other artifact sources

pottery, statues, poems, etc.

Example: an autobiography or written account by an Olympic athlete at the Athens Games

Doing History: SourcesDoing History: SourcesSecondary: Telling the story from

other sources Producer was not thereIncludes books and articles which can

use both primary and secondary sourcesWhich source type is better?

Depends on the quality of the source

Secondary: Telling the story from other sources Producer was not thereIncludes books and articles which can

use both primary and secondary sourcesWhich source type is better?

Depends on the quality of the source

Ontology: Nature of Mind & Body

Ontology: Nature of Mind & Body

Relationship between mind and body is critical to understanding the textRelationship between mind and body

changes over timeRelationship of sport is directly related to

the value of the body in a given cultureThe more important the body is, the more central

sport is The more important the mind, the less central

sport is

Relationship between mind and body is critical to understanding the textRelationship between mind and body

changes over timeRelationship of sport is directly related to

the value of the body in a given cultureThe more important the body is, the more central

sport is The more important the mind, the less central

sport is

Ontology Across TimeOntology Across Time

Classical Western PhilosophiesClassical Western Philosophies

The mind/body relationship determines much of what is taught and how it is taught in physical education.

Platonic dualism and Descartes’ rationalismHave in common the view that the mind and body

are separate and distinct entities.

Hobbes’ empiricism: argues that there is only the material world and physical bodies in it.

The mind/body relationship determines much of what is taught and how it is taught in physical education.

Platonic dualism and Descartes’ rationalismHave in common the view that the mind and body

are separate and distinct entities.

Hobbes’ empiricism: argues that there is only the material world and physical bodies in it.

From Dualism to MonismFrom Dualism to Monism

Twentieth century philosophies try to reconcile mind and body

Monist philosophies: view humans as an integrated whole

Mind and body are not separate Knowledge exists in the entire person Focus is not on the nature of a person, but

how that person experiences reality

Twentieth century philosophies try to reconcile mind and body

Monist philosophies: view humans as an integrated whole

Mind and body are not separate Knowledge exists in the entire person Focus is not on the nature of a person, but

how that person experiences reality

Twentieth Century Monistic PhilosophyTwentieth Century Monistic Philosophy

Pragmatism—one of first to reject dualismPragmatists argue that experience,

and therefore the body, is where one begins to come to know reality

Pragmatists also argue that man is an embodied entity (mind and body are integrated)

Pragmatism—one of first to reject dualismPragmatists argue that experience,

and therefore the body, is where one begins to come to know reality

Pragmatists also argue that man is an embodied entity (mind and body are integrated)

PhenomenologyPhenomenology

Emphasize epistemologyBody accesses world/knowledge (instrument)Body has inherent meaningBody is not enemy of reason/mind

Emphasizes experienceMeaning not explained by mind or senses alone

must be LIVEDAwareness and meaning associated with movement

Emphasize epistemologyBody accesses world/knowledge (instrument)Body has inherent meaningBody is not enemy of reason/mind

Emphasizes experienceMeaning not explained by mind or senses alone

must be LIVEDAwareness and meaning associated with movement

Premodern and Modern Sport


PremodernOrganization

Nonexistent or informal

Arranged directly or indirectly

Rulessimple, unwrittenbased on local

customs/traditions

PremodernOrganization

Nonexistent or informal

Arranged directly or indirectly

Rulessimple, unwrittenbased on local

customs/traditions

ModernOrganization

FormalDifferentiated at local,

regional, national levels

Rules formal, standard,

written rational and overseen

by organization

ModernOrganization

FormalDifferentiated at local,

regional, national levels

Rules formal, standard,

written rational and overseen

by organization

Premodern and Modern SportPremodern and Modern SportPremodernCompetition

locally meaningful

Rolesloose distinction

among players/spectators

PremodernCompetition

locally meaningful

Rolesloose distinction

among players/spectators

ModernCompetition

national and international

Roles—specialistsdistinction between

players/spectators

ModernCompetition

national and international

Roles—specialistsdistinction between

players/spectators



PremodernPublic information

limited, local, oral

Stats/recordsnonexistent,

perhaps anecdotal

PremodernPublic information

limited, local, oral

Stats/recordsnonexistent,

perhaps anecdotal

ModernPublic information

Regular: in local and national mediums

Stats/recordskept regularly important measures

of achievement

ModernPublic information

Regular: in local and national mediums

Stats/recordskept regularly important measures

of achievement

Industrialization/ Urbanization


Another paradigm to understand change in sport over time

Views one’s leisure activities dependent on living patternShift from rural to urban patternsMove from country games to city

gamesfrom hunting and fishing to urban games

Another paradigm to understand change in sport over time

Views one’s leisure activities dependent on living patternShift from rural to urban patternsMove from country games to city

gamesfrom hunting and fishing to urban games



Concept of enclosure becomes importantSpace is limited

one’s recreational pursuits are guided into confined spaces

Example: American basketball

Availability of lots of people makes possible team games

Concept of enclosure becomes importantSpace is limited

one’s recreational pursuits are guided into confined spaces

Example: American basketball

Availability of lots of people makes possible team games

Documents

History and Philosophy in Sport and Physical Education PED 191