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Tag Archives: Sports
Independence Day
“In his new novel, Independence Day, Richard Ford again brings us the memorable voice of Frank Bascombe, the central character of Ford’s highly acclaimed earlier novel, The Sportswriter. Over a July 4th weekend, we listen as Frank reflects on love, marriage, fatherhood, and middle-class ethics in modern America. Publishers Weekly says that Ford’s writing ‘comes as close as possible to the Great American Novel’ for our times.” [Wayne Pond]
Women, Sports, and Social Values
What’s the role of women’s athletics in American society? What’s the status of women and sport in America today, how should we account for it historically, and what is its connection to American social values?
Sports and Social Values Part 2
Following last week’s discussion about sports and education in the United States, Robert Simon and Larry Keith this week examine the role of money in the professionalization of American sports and the resulting social implications.
Sports and Social Values Part 1
In practice and ideas, the cultural significance of play and sport is as old as the Olympics of ancient Greece and as modern as the sociological theories of the Dutch scholar Johan Huitzinga. What is the social importance of what Huitzinga called homo ludens –playful humankind? With respect to contemporary issues such as the professionalization of sports and the relationship between sports and education, how does sports create and reflect social values?
Sports and Social Values Part 2
Robert Bryan, George Sher [NHC Fellow 1980-81], and William Bennett [NHC Director 1976-1981] discuss the intersections of professional sports, entertainment, and philosophy. The scholars discuss excellence and limitations as taught by sports, the state of intercollegiate athletics, and compensation for professional athletes. At the time of this interview Robert Bryan was professor of religion and philosophy and chairman of the athletic council at North Carolina State University and George Sher was professor of philosophy at the University of Vermont.
Sports and Social Values Part 1
Robert Bryan, George Sher [NHC Fellow 1980-81], and William Bennett [NHC Director 1976-1981] discuss the intersections of professional sports, entertainment, and philosophy. The speakers counter their criticisms of the behavior of professional athletes by noting the training and perseverance necessary to achieve excellence in sports. At the time of this interview Robert Bryan was professor of religion and philosophy and chairman of the athletic council at North Carolina State University and George Sher was professor of philosophy at the University of Vermont.