Abstract
In this paper I want to sketch a perspective on sense- and meaning-giving, which I would describe as down-to-earth. The meaning of life can be characterized as naturalistic: our body is the necessary condition for giving or finding sense and meaning. Meaning, thus, results from a bodily interaction with an environment.
I’m strongly convinced that this view on the primacy of the body involves a challenge for philosophy and ethics, which both domains cannot neglect. The ideas of Merleau-Ponty and Dewey have been confirmed by recent research in the neurosciences. That’s why I can agree with Mark Johnson, who brings together phenomenology, pragmatism and neuropsychology in his recent work on the meaning of the body, that it is one of the major tasks of philosophy to come to grips with our embodiment. in contrast to the tradition of Western philosophy who has been doing this mostly by denying the body.
I’m strongly convinced that this view on the primacy of the body involves a challenge for philosophy and ethics, which both domains cannot neglect. The ideas of Merleau-Ponty and Dewey have been confirmed by recent research in the neurosciences. That’s why I can agree with Mark Johnson, who brings together phenomenology, pragmatism and neuropsychology in his recent work on the meaning of the body, that it is one of the major tasks of philosophy to come to grips with our embodiment. in contrast to the tradition of Western philosophy who has been doing this mostly by denying the body.
Translated title of the contribution | The art of living: sports and a meaningfull life |
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Original language | Dutch |
Title of host publication | Homo Movens. |
Subtitle of host publication | Filosofie en wetenschap van sport en bewegen |
Editors | Edwin Koster, Ivo van Hilvoorde |
Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
Publisher | VU University Press |
Pages | 327-338 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISBN (Print) | 9789086598953 |
Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Keywords
- Philosophy of sports