PHIL 266.001 – Ethics of Sport

In this course, we will examine the concept and practice of sport from a philosophical perspective. We will discuss broad questions, like the benefits of sport, the ethics of competition, sportsmanship, and violence, as well as more specific questions that have arisen in recent years, like the concept of amateurism in college sports, controversies surrounding performance enhancing drugs, and cases of racism and sexism. In doing so, we will read the work of philosophers, athletes, and sports media members. This course will be taught at a sophomore level and can be taken without any prerequisites in philosophy.