b5231 Fundamentals of philosophy and selected chapters from the history of sport

Faculty of Sports Studies
spring 2026

The course is not taught in spring 2026

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. PaedDr. Emanuel Hurych, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PaedDr. Emanuel Hurych, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Milena Strachová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PaedDr. Emanuel Hurych, Ph.D.
Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Contact Person: doc. PaedDr. Emanuel Hurych, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
BOZP_OK(bozp_po_stud) && BOZP_OK(bozp_po_stud_fsps)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide a basic orientation in the field of philosophy of sport, with a specific emphasis on ontological aspects and especially on the sphere of ethics in sport and the sociology of sport. The student will understand the historical context of physical activity in its basic levels and relationships (athlete-fan, coach-athlete, etc.).
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will:
- be able to identify the philosophical foundations of sport and their relevance to terminological issues;
- have an overview of  organizations and periodicals in the sphere of philosophy of sport;
- understand the issues of the body and corporeality;
- put into context historical knowledge of Olympism and the development of physical education groups;
- discuss ethical issues in sport;
- and perceive the relationships within the athlete-fan and coach-athlete units.
Syllabus
  • 1. Philosophical foundations of kinanthropology (especially ontological and ethical view on the questions of corporeality).
  • 2. Philosophical kinanthropology (philosophy of sport) as a philosophical and anthropological discipline.
  • 3. Basic literature and overview of organizations in the sphere of philosophy of sport.
  • 4. Historical milestones of kinanthropology and their importance for grasping the philosophical basis of sport (ancient, modern, contemporary).
  • 5. Olympism in the context of historical development and its philosophical legacy. The phenomenon of the Sokol movement in the Czech context.
  • 6. Ethical aspects of physical activity.
  • 7. Ethical problems of contemporary sport.
  • 8. Meaningfulness of physical activity in its various forms.
  • 9. Athlete-fan relationship and selected aspects of active and passive approach to sport.
  • 10. Coach-athlete relationship and ethical issues related to this relationship.
  • 11. The spiritual dimension of movement - spirituality and movement (historical, ontological and ethical perspective).
  • 12. Discussion of a selected topic for philosophical reflection.
Literature
    required literature
  • HURYCH, Emanuel. Philosophy of Sport. Online. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2014, p. nestránkováno, 153 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-7432-3. URL info
    recommended literature
  • HURYCH, Emanuel. Could gamification present a significant topic for the philosophy of sport? Studia sportiva. Masarykova univerzita, 2021, vol. 15, No 1, p. 51-62. ISSN 1802-7679. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5817/STS2021-1-5. URL info
  • HURYCH, Emanuel. Duchovní rozměr pohybu v sekularizující se společnosti. Celkový rámec a vybrané pohledy poutníků a běžců (The Spiritual Dimension of Human Movement in the Secularizing Society. The Global Frame and the Selected Approaches of Pilgrims and Runners). Online. 1., elektronické vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2019, 183 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-9159-7. Čítárna Munispace info
  • HURYCH, Emanuel and Milena STRACHOVÁ. Authenticity in tourism: A practical issue coming from the ontological frame. Online. In Ivica Linderová & Stanislava Pachrová. Topical Issues Of Tourism: “AUTHENTICITY IN THE CONTEXT OF TOURISM“. 1st ed. Jihlava: Vysoká škola polytechnická Jihlava, 2018, p. 125-133. ISBN 978-80-88064-36-7. URL info
  • RYALL, Emily. Philosophy of sport : key questions. London: Bloomsbury, 2016, vii, 264. ISBN 9781408181393. info
  • REID, Heather Lynne. Introduction to the philosophy of sport. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2012, xiii, 251. ISBN 9780742570610. info
  • CONNOR, Steven. A philosophy of sport. London: Reaktion Books, 2011, 232 s. ISBN 9781861898692. info
  • MECHIKOFF, Robert A. A history and philosophy of sport and physical education : from ancient civilizations to the modern world. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010, xviii, 459. ISBN 9780073376493. info
  • KRETCHMAR, R. Scott. Practical philosophy of sport and physical activity. 2nd ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 2005, xvi, 303. ISBN 0736001417. info
Teaching methods
- home reading;
- group discussion;
- student presentations on selected topics;
- homework with interactive materials;
- essay preparation.
Assessment methods
- 1 written factual test (20 questions, minimum score 12 points);
- essay on a selected topic;
- oral exam (evaluated A - F).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
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