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A Comparative Philosophy of Sport and Art

Palgrave Macmillan

Authors:

  • Explores the philosophical questions that arise when sport and art are compared.

  • Examines why the appeal of great art endures over centuries, while interest in great sporting contests soon begins to fade.

  • Asks what value do sport and art contribute to the world and to the meaning of people’s lives?

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. Introduction

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 1-8
  3. The Spectator’s View

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 9-23
  4. A True Test and a Beautiful Sight

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 25-43
  5. Defining Sport

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 61-79
  6. Defining Art

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 81-92
  7. The Value of Art

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 107-123
  8. The Value of Sport

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 125-139
  9. Sport, Art and the Meaning of Life

    • Paul Taylor
    Pages 141-163
  10. Back Matter

    Pages 165-169

About this book

This book compares two major leisure activities – watching sport and engaging with art. It explores a range of philosophical questions that arise when sport and art are placed side by side:

  • The works of Shakespeare, Rembrandt and Mozart have continued to fill playhouses, galleries and concert halls for centuries since they were created, while our interest in even the most epic sporting contests fades after just a few years, or even a single season. What explains this difference?
  • Sporting contests are merely games. So why do sports fans attach such great importance to whether their team wins or loses?
  • Do sporting contests have meaning in the way works of art do?
  • Beauty is a central value in art. Is it important in sport?
  • What role does morality play in sport and art?
  • What value do sport and art contribute to the world and to the meaning of people’s lives?

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sydney, Australia

    Paul Taylor

About the author

Paul Taylor taught philosophy for over twenty years at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he was head of the Philosophy Department for a number of years. He has contributed to numerous academic journals and handbooks, mainly in the areas of philosophy of mind and aesthetics. A lifelong interest in sport has led him to focus in recent years on the philosophy of sport.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: A Comparative Philosophy of Sport and Art

  • Authors: Paul Taylor

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72334-7

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-72333-0Published: 17 June 2021

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-72336-1Published: 18 June 2022

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-72334-7Published: 16 June 2021

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIII, 169

  • Topics: Social Philosophy, Aesthetics, Sport Science

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access