Holism and the Cultivation of Excellence in Sports and Performance

<p><em>Holism and the Cultivation of Excellence in Sports and Performance</em> is a multi-methodological and cross-cultural examination of how we flourish holistically through performative endeavors e.g. sports martial and performing arts. Relying primarily on sport philosophy value theory phenomenology philosophy of mind pragmatism and East Asian philosophies (Japanese and Chinese) it espouses thick holism. Concerned with an integrative <i>bodymind</i> gradually achieved through performance that aims at excellence the process of self-cultivation proper of thick holism relies on an ecologically rich epistemic landscape where skills are coupled to virtues in pragmatic contexts. Ultimately this process results in admirable performances and exemplary character. Japanese <i>dō</i> (practices of self-cultivation) are prominent modes and models of such flourishing. A holistic and radically enactive approach that advances contentless capacities in lieu of representations transparently accounts for the kind of action that characterizes such expert performances. Importantly these performer-centered endeavors unfold within communities that foster the cultivation of our abilities as lifelong quests for human excellence. Each chapter can be read independently but still forms part of a continuous argumentative and narrative thread. This book was previously published as a special issue of <i>Sport Ethics and Philosophy</i>.</p>