Technology in sport: a Serresian perspective

Abstract

This article discusses the value of philosophy of technology for the philosophy and ethics of sport by presenting Michel Serres’s idea that sport is ‘in essence technics’. Although technological development is often seen as an external force that threatens the integrity of ‘pure’ sport, a Serresian perspective reveals that sporting activities are intimately related to technical objects. Through a selective reading of Serres’s reflections on sport in the Cahiers de Formation and in his later work, it is concluded that modern sport is the result of an ‘independent’ interaction between technology and collectivization. Sport brings people together, inspires them and is therefore also closely intertwined with religion. Finally, this article presents, drawing from Serres’s work, a historical loop of technology within sport.