A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Vieraantumista vai ystävyyttä? : minän ja toisen väliset suhteet urheilussa (2023)
Alienation or friendship? : relationships between self and other in sports
Kuusela, A., & Pummi-Kuusela, R.-I. (2023). Vieraantumista vai ystävyyttä? : minän ja toisen väliset suhteet urheilussa. In H. Roiko-Jokela, & T. Roiko-Jokela (Eds.), Yksilöt ja yhteisöt (pp. 261-284). Suomen urheiluhistoriallinen seura. Suomen urheiluhistoriallisen seuran vuosikirja, 2023.
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kuusela, Antti; Pummi-Kuusela, Riitta-Ilona
Parent publication: Yksilöt ja yhteisöt
Parent publication editors: Roiko-Jokela, Heikki; Roiko-Jokela, Tapio
ISBN: 978-952-65082-1-4
eISBN: 978-952-65082-2-1
Journal or series: Suomen urheiluhistoriallisen seuran vuosikirja
ISSN: 1237-3133
Publication year: 2023
Number in series: 2023
Pages range: 261-284
Number of pages in the book: 447
Publisher: Suomen urheiluhistoriallinen seura
Place of Publication: Helsinki
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: Finnish
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/97712
Additional information: Tutkimusartikkelit (vertaisarvioitu)
Abstract
Sport is a universal phenomenon that can be found in all cultures, both present and past. In the spirit of the modern Olympic idea, sport has been thought to be a factor that unites individuals. It is an activity that is done for its own sake and brings people together in a divided world. On the other hand, sport has been argued to embody the primitive aspects of man. From this perspective sport has been seen primarily as a struggle against another individual or group. It is characterized by aggression, even violence and winning at any cost. Through different historical examples, it is quite easy reach the conclusion, that sport is a phenomenon which both separates and unites people. The virtuous search for truth in ancient sports, the violent sports culture of the Roman Empire and the form of football that existed among the people for hundreds of years in the Middle Ages are the examples we have chosen to exemplify different forms of collectivity and relationships of interaction between self and the other in the history of sports. Following philosopher Drew Hyland's views, our argument is that with a philosophical analysis of the concept of sport, it is possible to reach a position according to which friendship is necessary for sport. Such a relationship between people is a precondition for individuals to be able to participate to activity called sports. The many negative phenomena associated with modern sports are not so much about the sport per se, but rather about the culture in which we live. Our conclusion is that there can be no competition without mutual respect. Whether you're a winner or a loser, you need an opponent. The possibility of an act of sport requires a joint, free-will decision of the Self and the Other, and a shared desire to strive towards a collective goal. When two individuals commit to such cooperation, it is reasonable to call their mutual relation, a relation of friendship which is characterized by openness towards another person. In striving for victory, an individual always takes the risk of losing, which possibility includes the acceptance that someone else can be better than me at any time. A truly sporty person does not seek to subordinate his fellow competitor to his own superiority, but realizes that without friendship, a sporting event cannot exist.
Keywords: sports; spectator sports; collective action; social relations; social interaction; competition (biology); playing (children's games); cooperation (general); friendship; ethics; morals; philosophy of physical activity; sport history
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 1
Parent publication with JYU authors: