Regras de jogo versus regras morais: Para uma teoria sociológica do fair play

Abstract

The objective of this work is to present and discuss the difficulties involved in the attempt to construct a sociological explanation of the idea of fair play-especially in sports. How is it possible that sports such as rugby and football, so different in terms of their rule for bodily contact, can draw upon the same principle to resolve problems not covered in their own rules? Social figurations as distinct as those established in badminton or in boxing, either in official or nonofficial situations, also require the same virtue. In sum, what is the sociological explanation for the universality of fair play? In this work we try to show how an answer to these questions requires a debate on the foundations of the sociological theory and equally points to the necessity to develop the foundations of a sociology of morality.