Sport – Viewed Aesthetically, and Even as Art?

The author points out the artlike traits of sport in order to show what a valuable topic it could be for aesthetics. Sport is usually neglected by the discipline; one just sees sport's aesthetic traits and judges these to be simply obvious and not an interesting matter. But by neglecting the artlike character of sport we also fail to understand why it is so fascinating for a large public. In fact, the very fascination with sport derives from aspects which, in a different form, we are used to experiencing and admiring in the arts. In sport elementary aspects of the human condition are at stake and are acted out – in a very direct and at the same time symbolically intense manner.The author points out the artlike traits of sport in order to show what a valuable topic it could be for aesthetics. Sport is usually neglected by the discipline; one just sees sport's aesthetic traits and judges these to be simply obvious and not an interesting matter. But by neglecting the artlike character of sport we also fail to understand why it is so fascinating for a large public. In fact, the very fascination with sport derives from aspects which, in a different form, we are used to experiencing and admiring in the arts. In sport elementary aspects of the human condition are at stake and are acted out – in a very direct and at the same time symbolically intense manner