<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>It has been thought that sportspersons, through their participation in sport, acquire moral attitudes and behavior that make them good moral role models. These moral attitudes and behavior can be called the ethos of sport, and consist of the principles of fair play and courage, justice, and honesty. In this article, it is argued that this belief is mistaken. Through four very common examples of sporting practice, it is shown that sport, contrary to providing a good basis for proper moral behavior, promotes what otherwise would be called non-moral attitudes and behavior. As a conclusion, it is pointed out that sportspersons might very well be good moral role models, but that they would be moral role models in spite of the fact that they are involved in sporting activities.</p></abstract>

It has been thought that sportspersons, through their participation in sport, acquire moral attitudes and behavior that make them good moral role models. These moral attitudes and behavior can be called the ethos of sport, and consist of the principles of fair play and courage, justice, and honesty. In this article, it is argued that this belief is mistaken. Through four very common examples of sporting practice, it is shown that sport, contrary to providing a good basis for proper moral behavior, promotes what otherwise would be called non-moral attitudes and behavior. As a conclusion, it is pointed out that sportspersons might very well be good moral role models, but that they would be moral role models in spite of the fact that they are involved in sporting activities.

Are Sportspersons Good Moral Role Models?

Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Are Sportspersons Good Moral Role Models?"}

It has been thought that sportspersons, through their participation in sport, acquire moral attitudes and behavior that make them good moral role models. These...

Are Sportspersons Good Moral Role Models?

Published Online: Dec 30, 2014

Page range: 5 - 17

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pcssr-2014-0023

Keywords
ethos of sport, role model, sporting practice

© 2015 Laureano et al.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Are Sportspersons Good Moral Role Models?

Published Online: Dec 30, 2014

Page range: 5 - 17

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pcssr-2014-0023

Keywordsethos of sport, role model, sporting practice

© 2015 Laureano et al.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
ethos of sport, role model, sporting practice