Abstract

Western civilization has a philosophical tradition based upon materialistic-dualisms and dichotomies through science and technology. Among these dichotomies is one that separates the mind and the body. In area of study and practice of physical education and sport, this separation of the human into two parts has implications for our teaching, research, curricula, and even the way we behave in society. The fundamental law of Western civilization is the performance principle, which is linked in turn to the idea of virtually endless progress. The charisma of sport grows directly out of its promise of limitless performances, and here is where the trouble begins. The purpose of this study is to review the Western philosophical history of the mind and the body and its implications for the development of ethics in sport. This is followed by the presentation of a nondualistic, monistic view of humans and how such a nondualistic view may result in changes in the way we live in society. This will result in a new definition of sport: "Sport is not a tool or an instrument, a vehicle to expropriate for ends. Sport is human experience.".