Abstract

Since its inception, during the Renaissance period, humanism has been a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasizes secular concerns of civility, morality and ethical behavior. Sport, a prime example of a secular social institution, has been used as a mechanism to teach civility during this same humanistic time period. Sport promotes humanistic ideals in the form of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship involves fair play, decency, and respect — for oneself, the community, and for the sport itself. Ideals of sportsmanship, such as competitiveness, hard work, fair play, obedience to authority, and dedication, are tied to a society’s cultural morality. Sportsmanship is tied to morality because it represents an ideal form of behavior — to be a good sport and play fairly. In this regard, sportsmanship and humanism overlap because both promote a system of thought or action, designed to remove the social obstacles that confront individuals as they attempt to reach their full potential. This paper will explore the humanist ideals of sportsmanship in an uncivil world.