Sport and Authenticity

Abstract

This article focuses on the concept of authenticity as understood by Heidegger, Taylor, and Ferrara and its relationship to sport. I divide Heidegger’s unusual terms (existentiales) from “Being and time” into the categories of authenticity and inauthenticity and provide examples of each from the field of sport. In further I analyse the ethical standpoint of authenticity which is in the centre of both ethical and sociological discourse today. Taylor´s conceptions of moral ideal and culture of authenticity are critically assessed. Ferrara´s models of authenticity appear to me as a good basis for various utilization in the area of sport. Finally, I argue for a mixed model of authenticity that includes both antagonistic and integrative elements.