Sport and Authenticity

Abstract

This article focuses on the concept of authenticity as understood by Heidegger, Taylor, and Ferrara and its relationship to sport. I divide Heidegger's unusual terms (existentiales) from"Being and time" into the categories of authenticity and inauthenticity and provide examples of each from the field of sport. In further I analyse the ethical standpoint of authenticity which is in the centre of both ethical and sociological discourse today. Taylor's conceptions of moral ideal and culture of authenticity are critically assessed. Ferrara's models of authenticity appear to me as a good basis for various utilization in the area of sport. Finally, I argue for a mixed model of authenticity that includes both antagonistic and integrative elements. © Faculty of Education.