From Yoga to Powerlifting

This article by Georgetown's Rebecca Kukla provides much food for thought on the transformational power of physical activity. Along the way, it illustrates how philosophical issues arise within the practice of sport.

Call for Abstracts: Defining Sport

Call for Abstracts: Defining Sport

http://sportsethicist.com/about/sports_studies_symposium2014/

3rd Annual Rockford University Sports Studies Symposium:

An interdisciplinary conference on the study of Sport.

Date: April 25, 2014

Rockford University

5050 E. State. St.

Rockford, IL 61108

The focus of this year’s symposium is “Defining Sport.” How should scholars of sport approaching defining sport? Is there a consistent definition or approach to defining sport? Is there a difference between defining a sport, the sport, sport, or sports? 

We invite cross-disciplinary papers on the different discussions surrounding the term “sport” and its many iterations.  We seek to explore how the concept itself, broadly construed, is being employed, understood, challenged, and used in the many different disciplines that study sport. Papers focusing on related concepts, like competition, games, or play, are welcomed as well.

There will be multiple panels. The focus of each panel will depend, in part, on the accepted abstracts. Each presenter will have 20 minutes for his or her presentation. There will also be time for Q&A. 

Abstract Submission:

Abstract should be 300-500 words. Send via email (as PDF) to sklein_at_rockford_dot_edu. 

Deadline: 1/24/2014

Notification of Acceptance: 2/7/2014

If you have any questions, please contact Shawn Klein: sklein_at_rockford_dot_edu or Michael Perry: mperry_at_rockford_dot_edu.

David Papineau's New Philosophy and Sport Blog

David Papineau has recently launched a new blog dealing with issues in sport and philosophy entitled "More Important Than That: How Philosophy Can Illuminate Sport and Vice Versa."

The first post, now up, is "Choking, The Yips, and Not Having Your Mind Right." Some possible future topics include "Mutual Aid and the Art of Road Cycle Racing," and "Why You Can't Just Decide to Support a Team."

I think readers of this blog will find such posts to be very interesting, and there is already a lot of discussion happening at Papineau's new blog.