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Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture
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Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture

A special issue of Philosophies (ISSN 2409-9287).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2026) | Viewed by 10357

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jason Holt

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
Interests: philosophy of sport; physical culture; aesthetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The philosophy of sport is only about fifty years old, but in that time, it has established itself in a thriving body of work addressing a significant part of the human experience. Physical culture generally, including not only sport but cognate domains such as dance, martial arts, and yoga, merits ongoing discussion because coming to understand these dimensions of embodiment means coming to better understand ourselves.

This Special Issue aims to (1) advance established debates and propose new approaches to topics within the philosophy of sport, (2) open new lines of inquiry in light of the current literature, (3) engage cognate domains, such as dance, martial arts, yoga, etc., either in relation to sport or as subjects in their own right, (4) examine the relationship between physical culture and its various representations in art, journalism, and social media.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Submissions may address the following or related topics, as long as they have sufficient philosophical content:

  • Theoretical definitions of sport;
  • Controversies in sport classification (e.g., esports);
  • Sport and theories of play;
  • Sport and theories of games;
  • Interpreting rules in sports;
  • Sport ethics;
  • Sport aesthetics;
  • Debates concerning eligibility (e.g., doping, transgender athletes);
  • Gamesmanship and cheating;
  • The nature, ethics, or aesthetics of sport subcategories (e.g., team sports, contact sports, aesthetic sports, etc.);
  • The philosophy of dance;
  • The philosophy of martial arts;
  • The philosophy of yoga;
  • Representations of physical culture in the arts;
  • Representations of physical culture in social media.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jason Holt
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Philosophies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • philosophy of sport
  • physical activity
  • embodiment
  • games
  • physical culture
  • aesthetics
  • ethics
  • dance
  • martial arts

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 266 KB  
Article
The Virtue of Violence in Sport
by Evan Thomas Knott
Philosophies 2026, 11(2), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies11020060 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 578
Abstract
This paper explores the ethical dimensions of violence in sporting contexts, proposing that violence can be a virtue when characterized by controlled physicality. While society often views violence negatively, the paper argues that within rule-governed sports, certain forms of violence are morally permissible, [...] Read more.
This paper explores the ethical dimensions of violence in sporting contexts, proposing that violence can be a virtue when characterized by controlled physicality. While society often views violence negatively, the paper argues that within rule-governed sports, certain forms of violence are morally permissible, strategically valuable, and essential to upholding the integrity of the game. Drawing on Suitsian terms and Kantian ethics, the paper develops a theory of lusory violence, distinguishing it from uncontrolled physicality or unmitigated violence. By examining the roles of enforcers in hockey, the development of MMA, and the ethics of sport jiu-jitsu, the paper suggests that violence is acceptable within a lusory framework only when it is purposive, strategically relevant, and constrained by rules that prioritize technical skill over raw damage. Ultimately, the paper argues that the ability to modulate violent behaviour represents a form of moral development, framing virtuous violence as a necessary tool for maintaining natural justice and personal excellence within specific sporting environments. Yet, virtuous violence is subordinate to technique, justice, and other defining elements of sports. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture)
20 pages, 1939 KB  
Article
Spatial Consciousness in Chinese and Western Dance: Perspectives from Ceramic Imagery
by Qirou Xiao and Qiaoyun Zhang
Philosophies 2026, 11(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies11020023 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 681
Abstract
A spatial awareness is a fundamental aspect of dance, reflecting deep philosophical ideas and aesthetic values across different cultures. While existing studies often focus on theatrical or biomechanical analyses, few explore how material cultural artifacts, such as pottery and porcelain figurines, reveal spatial [...] Read more.
A spatial awareness is a fundamental aspect of dance, reflecting deep philosophical ideas and aesthetic values across different cultures. While existing studies often focus on theatrical or biomechanical analyses, few explore how material cultural artifacts, such as pottery and porcelain figurines, reveal spatial differences in dance. This study addresses this gap by comparing Chinese pottery figurines from the Neolithic to Tang dynasties with Western Meissen porcelain dancers from the 18th century onward, applying a three-dimensional framework of “Movement Scheduling Space—kinetic space—expressive space.” Drawing on Confucian principles of “Harmony between Heaven and Humanity” and Christian notions of transcendence, the research examines how cultural traditions shape the spatial expression in dance. The findings show that Chinese dance emphasizes inward, upper-body movements extending from two-dimensional to one-dimensional space, reflecting a centripetal, earthly orientation. In contrast, Western dance expands from two-dimensional to three-dimensional space, emphasizing outward, lower-body movements symbolizing transcendental aspirations. Additionally, Chinese dance focuses on subtle hand gestures, while Western dance highlights expressive foot movements. By integrating artifact-based analysis with cultural and philosophical interpretation, this study offers a fresh approach to comparative dance philosophy, providing valuable insights for the reinterpretation of traditional aesthetics in modern choreography. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture)
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21 pages, 313 KB  
Article
What Goals? Which Point? Whose Purpose? A Critical Engagement with Sport Internalism
by Francisco Javier Lopez Frias
Philosophies 2026, 11(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies11010016 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 966
Abstract
In this article, I critique the dominance of internalism in sport philosophy and outline an alternative theoretical framework that integrates internal and external elements while striving to transcend the dichotomous language used to conceptualize sport. The analysis begins by claiming that internalism conflates [...] Read more.
In this article, I critique the dominance of internalism in sport philosophy and outline an alternative theoretical framework that integrates internal and external elements while striving to transcend the dichotomous language used to conceptualize sport. The analysis begins by claiming that internalism conflates three fundamental teleological aspects of sport: goals, point, and purposes. I argue that this conflation limits internalism’s ability to explain the complexity of sporting practices. By carefully distinguishing these elements, I illustrate their distinct roles in shaping sport and explore how they interact. I conclude by proposing that the alternative pluralist framework briefly sketched here enables a more comprehensive understanding of sport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture)
21 pages, 265 KB  
Article
The Virtue of Aggression in Sport
by Samantha Brennan and Evan Thomas Knott
Philosophies 2025, 10(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10020042 - 8 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4094
Abstract
This paper argues that aggression, while often conflated with violence and harm, is a virtue in sports. We distinguish aggression from violence and assertiveness, exploring its positive moral value within rule-governed contexts. We examine the permissibility of violence in sports, considering consent and [...] Read more.
This paper argues that aggression, while often conflated with violence and harm, is a virtue in sports. We distinguish aggression from violence and assertiveness, exploring its positive moral value within rule-governed contexts. We examine the permissibility of violence in sports, considering consent and the public good while acknowledging the potential for harm and the importance of restraint. The paper uses anecdotal evidence and philosophical analysis to support the claim that controlled aggression, a form of self-restraint, is a valuable skill both in and outside of sport. Finally, we explore the relationship between aggression and other virtues like sportsmanship, highlighting the importance of context in evaluating aggressive behaviours. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture)
11 pages, 223 KB  
Article
Beautiful Performances by Morally Flawed Athletes
by Jason Holt
Philosophies 2024, 9(6), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies9060187 - 12 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1887
Abstract
Much has been written about the presumed interaction between moral and aesthetic properties in art, about whether moral flaws in a work or its artist can compromise the work’s aesthetic value. In the philosophy of sport, similarly, the beauty of an athlete’s performance [...] Read more.
Much has been written about the presumed interaction between moral and aesthetic properties in art, about whether moral flaws in a work or its artist can compromise the work’s aesthetic value. In the philosophy of sport, similarly, the beauty of an athlete’s performance may be undermined by moral flaws in the performance itself (e.g., in a case of cheating). Yet to be addressed, however, is a potential analogy between artists and athletes where personal moral flaws failing to register in the work or performance may nonetheless compromise aesthetic response. Along with tracing the conceptual terrain in these debates and drawing on earlier work endorsing pluralism in such matters, I will argue that an athlete’s moral flaws may indeed compromise the aesthetic appeal of their performances, even where such flaws stand apart from those performances. In contrast to creative artists whose presence is immaterial to accessing their work, in the case of performing artists and athletes—since they themselves are the vehicles of their work—it is, and ought to be, harder to avoid having one’s moral response to the person diminish one’s aesthetic response to the work. We want athletes to be moral exemplars, I propose, less because they serve as role models and more because we want to preserve unspoiled the aesthetic rewards they provide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Philosophy of Sport and Physical Culture)
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