Sport Realism

The publication of Aaron Harper’s Sport Realism: A Law-Inspired Theory of Sport is excellent news for sport philosophers. The book not only proposes a new philosophical theory of sport, but it also brings a breath of fresh air into scholarly debates around sport by discussing myriad legal-philosophical theories and sport-related cases that sport philosophers have not contemplated before. Moreover, in defending sport realism, Harper critically analyzes widely-accepted philosophical theories of sport, advancing objections that will certainly encourage sport philosophers to reconsider their conceptions of sport and critically revise the principles and assumptions upon which such conceptions rest. I look forward to seeing how sport philosophers receive and react to Harper’s fascinating book.

-- Francisco Javier Lopez Frias, Pennsylvania State University

This book is a first-rate contribution to philosophy of sport. Aaron Harper defends a new theory of sport, which he calls sport realism, as an alternative to competing theories: formalism, conventionalism, and various types of interpretivism. He offers a masterful discussion of the relevant literature and grounds his view of sport in legal theory - legal realism. Using numerous specific examples from different sports, he argues persuasively that sport realism offers a better explanation of how sport is actually played, as well as useful normative guidance, rooted in pragmatist ethics and virtue jurisprudence. Harper also offers an insightful account of cheating. His argumentation is characterized by charity, in the way he discusses opposing positions, and boldness, in his attempt to face the challenges of working out a new theory. This book is clearly written, finely organized, and well-argued. It is sure to be widely read and discussed by scholars, often cited, used in courses, and highly praised. For those who might wonder, “What in the world do philosophers of sport talk about?” this book is an apt presentation of high-level thinking about the nature of sport, yet its abstractions are firmly rooted in the realities of sport. With this excellent work Harper shows that he is an important player in a fascinating philosophical game!

-- Randolph Feezell, professor emeritus, Creighton Univer