Emily Ryall – författare

It is now widely acknowledged that play is central to our lives. As a phenomenon, play poses important questions of reality, subjectivity, competition, inclusion and exclusion. This international collection is the third in a series of books (including The Philosophy of Play and Philosophical Perspectives on Play) that aims to build paradigmatic bridges between scholars of philosophy and scholars of play. Divided into four sections (Play as Life, Play as Games, Play as Art and Play as Politics), this book sheds new light on the significance of play for both children and adults in a variety of cultural settings. Its chapters encompass a range of philosophical areas of enquiry such as metaphysics, aesthetics and ethics, and the spectrum of topics explored includes games, jokes, sport and our social relationship with the Internet. With contributions from established and emerging scholars from around the world, The Philosophy of Play as Life is fascinating reading for all those with an interest in playwork, the ethics and philosophy of sport, childhood studies or the philosophy of education.

Play, Philosophy and Performance is a cutting-edge collection of essays exploring the philosophy of play. It showcases the most innovative, interdisciplinary work in the rapidly developing field of Play Studies. How we play, and the relation of play to the human condition, is becoming increasingly recognised as a field of scholarly inquiry as well as a significant element of social practice, public policy and socio-cultural understanding. Drawing on approaches ranging through morality and ethics, language and the nature of reality, aesthetics, digital culture and gaming, and written by an international group of emerging and established scholars, this book examines how our performance at play describes, shapes and influences our performance as human beings.This is essential reading for anybody with an interest in leisure, education, childhood, gaming, the arts, playwork or many branches of philosophical enquiry.

Play, Philosophy and Performance is a cutting-edge collection of essays exploring the philosophy of play. It showcases the most innovative, interdisciplinary work in the rapidly developing field of Play Studies. How we play, and the relation of play to the human condition, is becoming increasingly recognised as a field of scholarly inquiry as well as a significant element of social practice, public policy and socio-cultural understanding. Drawing on approaches ranging through morality and ethics, language and the nature of reality, aesthetics, digital culture and gaming, and written by an international group of emerging and established scholars, this book examines how our performance at play describes, shapes and influences our performance as human beings.This is essential reading for anybody with an interest in leisure, education, childhood, gaming, the arts, playwork or many branches of philosophical enquiry.

Play is a vital component of the social life and well-being of both children and adults. This book examines the concept of play and considers a variety of the related philosophical issues. It also includes meta-analyses from a range of philosophers and theorists, as well as an exploration of some key applied ethical considerations. The main objective of The Philosophy of Play is to provide a richer understanding of the concept and nature of play and its relation to human life and values, and to build disciplinary and paradigmatic bridges between scholars of philosophy and scholars of play. Including specific chapters dedicated to children and play, and exploring the work of key thinkers such as Plato, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Gadamer, Deleuze and Nietzsche, this book is invaluable reading for any advanced student, researcher or practitioner with an interest in education, playwork, leisure studies, applied ethics or the philosophy of sport.

A really useful textbook to help undergraduate students construct arguments in their writing, and raise their writing abilities to a higher level. The book also provides useful examples that relates to sports students. - Hassan Khalil, Hertfordshire University "A fantastic text and one we use regularly with undergraduate and postgraduates." - Abbe Brady, Gloucestershire University The capacity to think critically is essential for success in sport courses in higher education. This book provides all those involved in the study of sport with the tools to assess, construct and present arguments and to analyse and evaluate material. The emphasis is on the application of critical thinking – in the form of written arguments, discussion and negotiation. Throughout, the text and examples are presented within the context of sport, helping students to more easily apply their learning to their subject area.

Reimagining Talent Development in Sport takes a fresh look at the processes, systems and fundamental beliefs about talent. It brings together researchers, practitioners and former Olympic athletes to re-imagine the way talent development programmes work and the foundational values they are built on. This book imagines an environment that is able to achieve both sporting success and long-term athlete well-being.Talent development systems are now part and parcel of all effective high-performance sport systems in Olympic and professional sports. Talented young athletes are being recruited into programmes at ever younger ages as sports are looking to identify and attract athletes who they perceive have potential to become senior elite performers. Just the mathematics of talent development means there will always be a higher number of young athletes who are rejected by a talent pathway than ever reach the end of the pathway and become elite adult performers. So, we need new ways of thinking that allow us to find ways of nurturing athletic potential at the same time as developing the person. Reimagining Talent Development in Sport examines new ways of conceptualising talent programmes so that the young athlete is seen as a whole person first and an athlete second. This book touches on a wide range of topics encompassing sociological perspectives, philosophical thinking and new ideas on re-defining ‘success’, as well as discussing programmes that are already being implemented in pursuit of creating more ethical and positive approaches to talent development.Accessible to both academics and practitioners, Reimagining Talent Development in Sport is key reading for practitioners and academics who have an interest in talent development, skill acquisition and coaching programmes.

Reimagining Talent Development in Sport takes a fresh look at the processes, systems and fundamental beliefs about talent. It brings together researchers, practitioners and former Olympic athletes to re-imagine the way talent development programmes work and the foundational values they are built on. This book imagines an environment that is able to achieve both sporting success and long-term athlete well-being.Talent development systems are now part and parcel of all effective high-performance sport systems in Olympic and professional sports. Talented young athletes are being recruited into programmes at ever younger ages as sports are looking to identify and attract athletes who they perceive have potential to become senior elite performers. Just the mathematics of talent development means there will always be a higher number of young athletes who are rejected by a talent pathway than ever reach the end of the pathway and become elite adult performers. So, we need new ways of thinking that allow us to find ways of nurturing athletic potential at the same time as developing the person. Reimagining Talent Development in Sport examines new ways of conceptualising talent programmes so that the young athlete is seen as a whole person first and an athlete second. This book touches on a wide range of topics encompassing sociological perspectives, philosophical thinking and new ideas on re-defining ‘success’, as well as discussing programmes that are already being implemented in pursuit of creating more ethical and positive approaches to talent development.Accessible to both academics and practitioners, Reimagining Talent Development in Sport is key reading for practitioners and academics who have an interest in talent development, skill acquisition and coaching programmes.

It is now widely acknowledged that play is central to our lives. As a phenomenon, play poses important questions of reality, subjectivity, competition, inclusion and exclusion. This international collection is the third in a series of books (including The Philosophy of Play and Philosophical Perspectives on Play) that aims to build paradigmatic bridges between scholars of philosophy and scholars of play. Divided into four sections (Play as Life, Play as Games, Play as Art and Play as Politics), this book sheds new light on the significance of play for both children and adults in a variety of cultural settings. Its chapters encompass a range of philosophical areas of enquiry such as metaphysics, aesthetics and ethics, and the spectrum of topics explored includes games, jokes, sport and our social relationship with the Internet. With contributions from established and emerging scholars from around the world, The Philosophy of Play as Life is fascinating reading for all those with an interest in playwork, the ethics and philosophy of sport, childhood studies or the philosophy of education.

Philosophical Perspectives on Play builds on the disciplinary and paradigmatic bridges constructed between the study of philosophy and play in The Philosophy of Play (Routledge, 2013) to develop a richer understanding of the concept and nature of play and its relation to human life and value. Made up of contributions from leading international thinkers and inviting readers to explore the presumptions often attached to play and playfulness, the book considers ways that play in ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ worlds can inform understandings of each, critiquing established norms and encouraging scepticism about the practice and experience of play.Organised around four central themes -- play(ing) at the limits, aesthetics, metaphysics/ontology and ethics -- the book extends and challenges notions of play by drawing on issues emerging in sport, gaming, literature, space and art, with specific attention paid to disruption and danger. It is intended to provide scholars and practitioners working in the spheres of play, education, games, sport and related subjects with a deeper understanding of philosophical thought and to open dialogue across these disciplines.

Play is a vital component of the social life and well-being of both children and adults. This book examines the concept of play and considers a variety of the related philosophical issues. It also includes meta-analyses from a range of philosophers and theorists, as well as an exploration of some key applied ethical considerations. The main objective of The Philosophy of Play is to provide a richer understanding of the concept and nature of play and its relation to human life and value, and to build disciplinary and paradigmatic bridges between scholars of philosophy and scholars of play. Including specific chapters dedicated to children and play, and exploring the work of key thinkers such as Plato, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Gadamer, Deleuze and Nietzsche, this book is invaluable reading for any advanced student, researcher or practitioner with an interest in education, playwork, leisure studies, applied ethics or the philosophy of sport.

Philosophical Perspectives on Play builds on the disciplinary and paradigmatic bridges constructed between the study of philosophy and play in The Philosophy of Play (Routledge, 2013) to develop a richer understanding of the concept and nature of play and its relation to human life and value. Made up of contributions from leading international thinkers and inviting readers to explore the presumptions often attached to play and playfulness, the book considers ways that play in ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ worlds can inform understandings of each, critiquing established norms and encouraging scepticism about the practice and experience of play.Organised around four central themes - play(ing) at the limits, aesthetics, metaphysics/ontology and ethics - the book extends and challenges notions of play by drawing on issues emerging in sport, gaming, literature, space and art, with specific attention paid to disruption and danger. It is intended to provide scholars and practitioners working in the spheres of play, education, games, sport and related subjects with a deeper understanding of philosophical thought and to open dialogue across these disciplines.

An accessible and comprehensive guide to the philosophy of sportEach chapter is framed by a question that explores the main issues, ideas and literature in the field ranging from questions about the nature and value of sport, the sporting body, aesthetics and ethics. Students are given the opportunity to consider significant debates in the philosophy of sport and each chapter is supplemented by independent study questions. Each section also contains short insightful interviews with eminent scholars in order to give a broader understanding of the history and development of the subject.The main themes covered within this text include: the nature of sport; sport and the body; aesthetics and the aesthetic value of sport; a consideration of fair play, rules and the ethos of sport; the nature of competition; the application and effect of technology on sport and introductions to contemporary ethical issues such as doping, violence, disability, patriotism, elitism and sexual equality, as well as a broader reflection on the connection between sport and moral development.