Sports Promote Discussion of Ethical, Social and Cultural Issues
Abstract: In contemporary American society, the pervasiveness of sports has become the vehicle for the discussion of important ethical and cultural issues. The typical American is included in this discussion due to this cultural saturation. This saturation plays an important role in public discourse. Sports provide an egalitarian platform for the daily discussion of important ethical, social and cultural issues.
Throughout history, sports have been an integral part of human experience. In his Laws, Plato stated, "...man is made God's plaything, and that is the best part of him. Therefore every man and women should live life accordingly, and play the noblest games..."(Plato)
Humankind has, over the centuries, participated in, observed and commented on sports.
In contemporary American society, sports have become a readily accessible means for the average citizen as well as the academic to participate in the public discourse. As Professor James Shall has noted "Philosophic discussions sometimes lend themselves to non philosophic beginnings" (1). The pervasiveness of sports in society provides the vehicle for the discussion of important ethical and moral issues. The typical American is included in this dialogue because the culture is saturated with sports. Americans of all socio-economic and educational backgrounds discuss these concepts in a wide range of venues, such as, scholarly journals and popular magazines, in sports bars and around the breakfast table. They are debated in the workplace, as well as in casual social gatherings. Radio talk shows regularly feature sport-related subjects and newspapers exhibit this conversation throughout every section. When people talk 'sports', they are simultaneously addressing much weightier matters and participating in the continuing conversation called the American public discourse. This saturation plays a vital role in stimulating...