PE111
History and Philosophy of
Physical Education
Saint Joseph’s College
Fall 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, 18901950
• 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
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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)
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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
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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