Aretism

Aretism: An Ancient Sports Philosophy for the Modern Sports World applies a robust ancient ethic to the widely-acknowledged problems faced by modern sports. Aretism-from the Greek word arete ("excellence")-draws a balance between the hard commercialism of modern sports culture and the soft playfulness of recreational models to recover the value of sport for individuals, education, and society at large. The authors' approach proposes practical strategies for athletes, coaches, and physical educators to use when facing ethical challenges in the modern world.
Holowchak and Reid present Aretism as a tripartite model of athletic excellence focused on personal, civic, and global integration. They reject the personal and social separation characteristics of much of contemporary moral reasoning. Aretism creates a critical and normative framework within which athletic agents can aim for spirited, but morally sensitive, competition by seeking the betterment not only of themselves, through athletic competition, but also of their teammates, fellow competitors, and even their communities.
Holowchak and Reid also present a historical overview of sport and a critique of two traditional models-the martial/commercial model and the aesthetic/recreational model. This book is most applicable to students and academics concerned with the philosophy of sport, but will be of interest to all those in sports professions, including coaches, trainers, and athletes.

M. Andrew Holowchak teaches philosophy at Rider University. His books include Happiness and Greek Ethics, Critical Reasoning & Philosophy, Ancient Science and Dreams: Oneirology in Greco-Roman Antiquity, Philosophy of Sport: Crucial Readings, Critical Issues, and The Stoics: A Guide for the Perplexed.
Heather L. Reid is professor and chair of philosophy at Morningside College and author of Philosophy and Athletics in Ancient Greece and Rome: Contests of Virtue and The Philosophical Athlete.

Chapter 1 Preface
Part 2 PART I. How Did Sports Get Here From There?
Chapter 3 Chapter 1. The Roots of Competitive Sport
Chapter 4 Chapter 2. Medieval, Renaissance, and Enlightenment Sport
Chapter 5 Chapter 3. Compensatory Athleticism
Chapter 6 Chapter 4. Sport Propagandized
Chapter 7 Chapter 5. Sport Commodified
Part 8 PART II. What is Wrong With Sports Today?
Chapter 9 Chapter 6. The Martial/Commercial Model
Chapter 10 Chapter 7. Drugs and Competitive Sport
Chapter 11 Chapter 8. Problems of Performance Enhancement
Chapter 12 Chapter 9. Gender, Aggression, and Violence
Chapter 13 Chapter 10. Sport by the Numbers
Chapter 14 Chapter 11. Sensationalism and Ego-Puffing
Part 15 PART III. Why Can't We Just Enjoy Sports?
Chapter 16 Chapter 12. The Aesthetic/Recreational Model
Chapter 17 Chapter 13. Aesthetic Spectacle
Chapter 18 Chapter 14. Playful Integrity
Chapter 19 Chapter 15. The Aesthetics of Journeying
Chapter 20 Chapter 16. Beauty as Unity
Chapter 21 Chapter 17. Economy of Performance
Part 22 PART IV. How Should Sports Be Reformed?
Chapter 23 Chapter 18. The Aretic Model
Chapter 24 Chapter 19. Aretism and Values
Chapter 25 Chapter 20. Aretism and Education
Chapter 26 Chapter 21. Aretism and Society
Chapter 27 Chapter 22. Is Sport a Good?