Friday, October 29, 2010

Dombrowski's Contemporary Athletics and Ancient Greek Ideals

I am currently working my way through Daniel Dombrowski's recent book, Contemporary Athletics and Ancient Greek Ideals (U Chicago Pr 2009).  I have finished his chapter on Weiss and am now reading the chapter on Huizinga.  His other major chapter discusses Feezell.  I would be interested in hearing what others have to say about the book, either here or off-blog.  thanks.
Jim

4 comments:

Emily Ryall said...

I read Dombrowski's book over the summer and really enjoyed it. As a graduate in Philosophy and Linguistics I particularly appreciated the etymological analysis that ran throughout. This focus on derivation of particular concepts really helps to secure many of Dombrowski's arguments.

The only aspect that I really disagree with Dombrowski on is his rejection of Feezell's 'life is absurd' thesis which grounds some of Feezell's arguments regarding play. But since this stems from a difference in religious beliefs (or lack of), there's not much room for debate on this particular issue.

Overall, I'd recommend as a clear and solid piece of analytical philosophy, and especially for the linguistic analysis of concepts used in sport and athletics.

Incidentally, Mike Austin published a review of the book in the Journal of the Philosophy of Sport. Issue 1. May 2010. pp122-125.

http://journals.humankinetics.com/jps-back-issues/JPSVolume37Issue1May/ContemporaryAthleticsandAncientGreekIdeals

Jim Tantillo said...

Emily, thanks for the response, and also for the heads up about Mike Austin's review--Mike, would you be willing to send me a copy of your review? Cornell does not get the journal.
Jim

Emily Ryall said...

Jim, you need to persuade Cornell to subscribe to it then!

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