Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Veit, Walter
• Browning, Heather
• Holt, Jason
• Ramsay, Marc

Titel

Ethics of mixed martial arts

Ist Teil von

• The Philosophy of Mixed Martial Arts, 2022, p.134-149

Auflage

1

Ort / Verlag

United Kingdom: Routledge

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Mixed martial arts (MMA) is frequently criticized as barbaric and inhumane. This stands in stark contrast with the booming popularity of the sport. Before now, what little philosophical work has been written on MMA depicts it as something inherently wrong (as with Dixon) or as something merely permissible (as with articles by Weimer and Kershnar and Kelly, respectively). Contrary to these foregoing analyses this chapter argues that MMA is not only permissible, but a morally praiseworthy and virtuous endeavor in virtue of developing moral character and recognizing the intimate connection between body and mind. Mixed martial arts (MMA), as a combat sport, is frequently criticized both within the academic literature and society more generally; dismissed as barbaric and inhumane. This chapter uses some of arguments to support a stronger conclusion: the intrinsic praiseworthiness of MMA. It takes a stronger line that fighting in mixed martial arts bouts is itself an instance of a perfect duty to oneself. In an anime series about mixed martial arts this is made explicit: 'If one is born as a male, at least once in his life, he'll dream of becoming the strongest man alive'. Respect is an integral part of MMA, a message that every MMA organization is trying hard to convey to the general public. Ancient philosophers praised the physical as an integral part of education, some even recommending or practicing the ancient Greek sport of pankration, a sport that closely resembles modern MMA but was less restrictive.