PE111History and Philosophy of

Physical Education

Saint Joseph’s CollegeFall 2015

Donn Gobbie

Course Overview

• History and Philosophy of Physical Education and Sport

• History of Sport in America

• History of the Modern Olympic Games

• Three exams (25% each)

• Book Summary (25%)

History and Philosophy of Physical Education and Sport

• Philosophy of Physical Education, Exercise Science and Sport

• Physical Education in Ancient Civilizations

• From the Spiritual World to the Secular World: Changing Concepts of the Body

• The Theoretical and Professional Development of Physical Education in the United States, 1885 to 1930

• Toward the Reform of Physical Education in the United States, 1900-1939

• Physical Education in the US, 1940 to present

• Exam 1

History of Sport in America

• Sports in Early America

• The Setting of Organized Sports, 1890-1950

• The Setting of Organized Sports, 1950 to present

• Exam 2

History of the Modern Olympic Games

• History of the Modern Olympic Games, 1896 to 1928

• History of the Modern Olympic Games, 1932 to 1956

• History of the Modern Olympic Games, 1960 to 1980

• History of the Modern Olympic Games, 1984 to present

• Exam 3

Philosophy• Derived from the Greek word philosophia, meaning

the love of wisdom• Philosophers pursue the truth through the

systematic investigation of reality, knowledge, meanings and values

• Philosophy is a system of values by which one lives and works

• Your system of beliefs and values guides your conduct in both you personal and professional life

• Philosophy helps individuals address the problems that confront them through the use of critical thinking, logical analysis, and reflective appraisal

Typical Philosophical Questions• What is the role of human beings on this earth?• What are the origin and nature of the universe?• What constitutes good and evil, right and wrong?• What constitutes truth?• Is there a God?• Do human beings have souls, some essence that

exists yet cannot be seen?• What is the function of education in society?• What relationship exists between mind and matter?

Branches of Philosophy• Philosophy is conventionally divided into four

domains or branches of study, providing a framework for examination of philosophical concerns:

• Metaphysics

• Epistemology

• Logic

• Axiology (includes Ethics, Aesthetics)

Metaphysics• Seeks to address the absolute nature of

reality – what is real and exists

• Speculative in its approach

• May be used to understand the relationship between mind and body, or the essential meaning of sport

• What experiences in a PE program will better enable the individual to meet the challenges of the real world?

Epistemology• Examines the nature of knowledge

• Uses critical, analytical methods to examine the structure of knowledge, its origin, and its limits

• This approach can help us in defining the nature of the discipline of physical education, exercise science and sport

• What is the validity of the knowledge pertaining to physical activity and its influence on the development of the individual?

Logic• Uses a critical approach to study how ideas

relate to each other• Applies sound and reasoned judgment to

decision making• Can help members of our fields design sound

research approaches or organize facts to document the contribution of physical activity to well-being

• What process should a researcher use to determine the value of physical education to program participants?

Axiology• Examines the nature of values. Two

extensions are ethics and aesthetics

• Ethics is concerned with issues of right and wrong, responsibility, and standards of conduct

• Ethics examines moral values

• Moral reasoning helps people determine what if the right thing to do in a given situation or cirumstance

Axiology

• Aesthetics is the study of the nature of beauty and art

• The beauty of skilled movement and artistic expression through dance enable us to see movement as an art form

• Ethics question: How can sport be utilized to develop ethics?

• Aesthetic question: Why are skilled performers’ movements beautiful to view?

Why have a philosophy in PE, Exercise Science and Sport?

• Necessary for the professional to be effective. They must ask themselves the following questions:

• What has value in today’s society?

• What is relevant to the needs of people today?

• What are some inequities that must be addressed?

Why have a philosophy in PE, Exercise Science and Sport?

• A philosophy may also be helpful in addressing more specific questions:

• Should youth sports programs mandate equal playing time for all participants?

• Should college athletes be required to maintain a certain GPA to participate?

• Should athletic trainers be required to report illegal drug use by an athlete?

Why have a philosophy in PE, Exercise Science and Sport?

• A well-developed philosophy gives you guidance in resolving these questions

• Philosophy aids in decision making• When confronted with ethical decisions,

professional use philosophy to reflect on how they ought to act, what is right and wrong, what is just and unjust

• Helps professionals evaluate their programs to determine if they are meeting participants’ needs and are being conducted in and ethical manner

Philosophies

• Often the result of the nation, language, or historical era in which they arose

• Ancient Philosophical Movements: Confucianism, Stoicism, Aristotelianism, Cynicism, etc.

• Medieval Philosophical Movements: Thomism, Scotism, Scholasticism, etc.

• Modern Philosophical Movements: Existentialism, Idealism, Pragmatism, Phenomenology, etc.

• Contemporary Philosophical Movements: Postmodernism, Structuralism, etc.

Philosophies most often examined in education (and physical education)

• Idealism

• Realism

• Pragmatism

• Naturalism

• Existentialism

Idealism• Emphasizes the mind as central to understanding;

the mind is the focus of the person’s being• All reality comes from the mind.• In the scheme of the universe, people are more

important than nature because nature is interpreted by the mind

• An individual exercises free will in choosing between right and wrong

• Reasoning and intuition help individuals arrive at the truth

Idealism in PE and Sport• Physical education, exercise science and

sport involve more than the “physical”

• Physical fitness and activities are valued for their contribution to the development of one’s personality

• The PE, exercise science and sport professional is a role model for the program’s participants

• Self-development is emphasized

Realism• Physical world is the central focus• All physical events that occur in the universe

are the result of the laws of nature• Nature is in control• Truth can best be determined by the

scientific method• Peoples’ senses and experiences also help

them to understand nature• The mind and body have a close,

harmonious relationship

Realism in PE and Sport

• Education is for life

• PE, exercise science and sport should focus on the development of the total person

• Programs are valuable because of their contribution to health

• A healthy person can lead a fuller life and be more productive

Pragmatism

• Experiences – not ideals or realities – are the means to achieving the truth

• Because individuals experience different circumstances and situations, reality changes in pragmatism

• Truth is situational; whatever works in a given situation is correct at that time

• Values are relative and are derived from one’s experiences

Pragmatism in PE and Sport• The program content should be based on

the needs and interests of the students

• The program should be varied to provided a diversity of experiences for learning

• Learning is accomplished through the problem-solving method

• Social outcomes from participation in the program are important

• The program professional serves as a guide

Naturalism• Governed by the laws of nature

• Any reality that exists is found only within the physical realm of nature

• Nature itself is the source of value

• The individual is more important than society, but society is necessary to prevent chaos

Naturalism in PE and Sport

• Physical activity is important for the development of the total person

• It provides a medium for the development of physical, mental, social, emotional and mental skills

• Instruction is paced according to the individual’s needs

• Individualized learning through self activity leads to the attainment of individual goals

Existentialism• Reality is determined by individual

experiences• Human existence is the only true reality• Individuals must accept responsibility for

themselves and the choices they make• An individual’s experiences and choices are

unique, affecting his/her perception of reality• Individuals must determine their own systems

of values and follow them, but they must accept the consequences of their actions

Existentialism in PE and Sport• Each participant is free to choose from a

variety of activities within the program

• Individual activities provide opportunities for participants to develop self-awareness and self-responsibility

• The PE and sport professional serves as a counselor, promoting reflective thinking while allowing participants to make choices and deal responsibly with the consequences of those choices

Modern Educational Philosophy• Most schools today follow a modern

educational philosophy based on what was advocated by John Dewey, a leader of the progressive education movement in the early 20th Century

• Dewey’s ideas of progressive education reflect a pragmatic orientation

• Progressives believed that education was the avenue to improve the social conditions of society

Progressive Education• Child-centered approach to learning

emphasized children taking an active role in their learning

• Dewey’s approach of “learning by doing” significantly changed the nature of American education

• Dewey also believed in the unity of the mind and the body

• Progressive education lent support to the inclusion of physical education in the school curriculum

Sport Philosophy• Emerged as a specialized area of study in

the 1960s and 1970s• Sport philosophy is the systematic and

reflective study of the truth, meanings and actions of sport

• Sport philosophers use logic and reasoning to gain a broader understanding of how sport contributes to our lives and to analyze the principles that guide our professional practices and actions

Your Philosophy of PE, Exercise Science, and Sport

• Essential for all PE and Sport leaders

• What is your philosophy of PE and Sport?

• Perhaps the best place to start is with your personal philosophy

• What is your philosophy of life?

• What are the values by which you lead your life?

Philosophy of Life adages• Do unto others as you would have them do

unto you

• The ends justifies the means

• Look out for number one

• Honesty is the best policy

• Things work out for the best

• Keep your nose to the grindstone, your shoulder to the wheel

• Be the best you can be

Coach Philosophies• Winning is everything

• Play hard, play fair

• No pain, no gain

• Win at all costs

• How did your coach’s philosophy contribute to your experience and the value you derived from participation?

Your Philosophy

• As you continue your education and pursue a career, it is important that you have a philosophy to guide your actions and efforts

• During your course of study, hopefully you will be encouraged to develop your own philosophy, to think logically and analytically about your beliefs

Guidelines for developing your philosophy

• Review your past experiences in PE and Sport• Read about the different philosophies• Review the philosophies of the leaders in PE and

Sport• Talk to various professors about their philosophies• Review the codes of conduct and ethical standards

of various professional organizations• Express your philosophy and notice how it may

change over time

Conclusion

• Developing a personal philosophy is a difficult task, some would say never-ending

• Your philosophy will likely change and mature during your experiences in your chosen field

• Try to be open to the various experiences in your life, reflect upon them, and view your life as an ongoing process of change and growth