Osborne, Jaquelyn Lisa (1996) Sport, art and contingency : redescriptions. Research Master thesis, Victoria University of Technology.

Abstract

In today's highly technical and product-oriented world, sport, like many other things, has become a realm of efficiency, records and statistics. While one can certainly appreciate the breathtaking accuracy, speed and strength of the world's elite athletes, seems that there may be more that can and should be understood and appreciated about sport. This thesis examines the relationship between sport and art using a "functional" approach. That is, it is shown how sport can be seen to function as art does at certain times and under certain conditions. Sport is shown to be a "human-made" entity that has no essential nature or pre-determined meaning. As a result, sport can and should be described and redescribed many different ways. This thesis concludes that redescribing sport in terms of art will have a two-fold effect on sport. Firstly, the current descriptions and perceptions of sport can be challenged and descriptions which depart from the norm will be encouraged. Secondly, there can exist in sport description and reporting the provision to promote the kind criticism which is usually afforded only to art. It is the concern of philosophic inquiry to examine these issues in a critical and logically sound manner. To a certain extent the philosophic method combines the logical and critical approach with a more imaginative or projective concern. The philosophic method goes beyond the said and the done, to the possibly said and the possibly done. It examines the possibility of a change in, or an elaboration of, our understanding of our sporting institutions and practices, and ourselves.

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