“An activity is not a sport unless there are challenges to be overcome and a clear set of rules about how to confront these challenges.” -- J P Spiro (2008) Defending the Master Race: Conservation, Eugenics, and the Legacy of Madison
This was offered as a way to distinguish a "sportsman" from a "market hunter" in the US in the late 1800s. But it got me to wondering if it has a more general application. Clearly, the two criteria--challenges and clear rules--are not sufficient to define a sport, but are they necessary?
I am sure that ground has been broken on the question of what makes a sport a sport, so pointers to that literature would be greatly appreciated.
6 comments:
blogwalking here,, interesting blog. have a nice day :)
At first glance it looks fine, but aren't there sporting activities that are not *clearly* defined by rules? Take rock climbing, for example. Plainly there is a code of conduct governing the activity, and individual climbers will also self-impose rules, but none of them seems necessary to the activity.
David:
That, in part, is the question. While anyone can pull a trigger and kill things, the activity of hunting becomes a sport when certain (self-imposed) rules are followed, eg, never kill females or young, always attempt the cleanest kill, etc. I don't know enough about rock-climbing, but does it move from being an activity of getting to the top to a sport by the following of the self-imposed rules and codes? Anyone know?
Hi,
I have a post I'd like to contribute to this blog. Who should I send it to?
Sorry to post this question here but I couldn't find any contact info for the blogs admin.
Warmly,
alBostoni
Questions on the nature of sport is best summarized in the article "Triad Trickery" by K. Meier. Discussions on rules: Reddiford, "Institutions, Constitutions and Games" - these are about constitutive and regulative rules, what is usually considered defined by an organisation. Self-imposed rules sounds like what D'Agostino calls the Ethos of sport, see "the ethos of games".
Is cheerleading a sport? It seems to fit your definition...
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/connecticut-trial-determine-cheerleading-sport/story?id=10972950
Post a Comment