Sport and Spirituality
An Introduction
By Jim Parry, Simon Robinson, Nick Watson, Mark Nesti
Published August 22nd 2007 by Routledge – 280 pages
Description
Sport science can quantify many aspects of human performance but the spiritual dimensions of sports experience cannot be fully understood through measurement. However, the spiritual experience of sport – be it described as ‘flow’, ‘transcendence’ or the discovery of meaning and value – is central both to our basic motivation to take part in sports, and to achieving success.
Sport and Spirituality: An Introduction explores these human aspects of sports experience through the perspectives of sport psychology, philosophy, ethics, theology and religious studies. It includes discussions of:
- Spirituality in the postmodern era
- Spirituality, health and well-being
- Theistic and atheistic perspectives on sport and the spiritual
- Nature and transcendence – the mystical and sublime in outdoor sport
- Applied sport psychology and the existential
- Spiritual perspectives on pain, suffering and destiny
- Sport, the virtues, ethical development and the spirit of the game
- The Olympic Games and de Coubertin’s ideas of the ‘religio athletae’.
This groundbreaking text will be a valuable resource for students of sport and exercise studies, sports coaching, physical education and sport and health psychology. This book should be read by all those interested in the preparation, performance and well-being of athletes.
Reviews
"This is a book most notable for the broad range of ideas it offers, featuring sports psychology, sports sociology, and professional and religious ethics. The author's attempts to define 'spirituality,' within the context of sport and beyond, are especially appealing." -- Christianity Today, February 2010
Contents
Section 1: Spirituality and Sport 1. A Short History of Spirituality 2. Defining Spirituality 3. Spirituality, Wellbeing and Sport Section 2 : Sport, God and Ethics 4. The Religious and the Spiritual in Sport. A Comparative Analysis of Meaning for Theistic and Atheist Participants 5. Theology and the Ethics of Competition in the Twenty -First Century 6. Nature and Transcendence. the Mystical and Sublime in Outdoor Sports Section 3: The Existential and Sport 7. The Existential and the Spiritual 8. Persons and Players 9. Suffering and Destiny Section 4: Olympism and Sport 10. Sport and the Virtues 11. Peace and the Religious Athlete 12. Ethos, Ethics and Education Conclusion
Author Bio
Jim Parry is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Leeds University. He is former Head of the School of Philosophy at Leeds University and is co-series editor for the Routledge series Ethics and Sport.
Simon Robinson is Professor of Applied and Professional Ethics, Leeds Metropolitan University. He is also Hon. Fellow in Theology at the University of Leeds. Simon Robinson is former Anglican Chaplain to the University of Leeds.
Nick Watson is Lecturer and Researcher in the School of Sports Science and Psychology, York St John College of the University of Leeds.
Dr Mark Nesti is Reader in Sport Psychology at York St John College of the University of Leeds.
Name: Sport and Spirituality: An Introduction (Paperback) – Routledge
Description: By Jim Parry, Simon Robinson, Nick Watson, Mark Nesti. Sport science can quantify many aspects of human performance but the spiritual dimensions of sports experience cannot be fully understood through measurement. However, the spiritual experience of sport – be it described as...
Categories: Ethics and Philosophy of Sport, Sports Psychology, Health Psychology, Coaching Theory
