[Purpose] This study analyzes ethical issues about genetic technology used for the enhancement of athletes. In so doing, this study aims to rethink gene manipulation in sports and suggest theoretical groundwork for an ethical discussion of gene doping, as well as providing some guidelines. [Methods] For this purpose, this study looks at the relationship between genetic engineering and morality as discussed by eminent domestic and international philosophers, medical ethicists, and scholars of sport studies. Then, the pros and cons of the use of genetic engineering in sport are analyzed to show the different values embedded in each of the opposite positions. [Results] This study identifies three points of debate: fairness, coercion, dignity and autonomy. Through a literary and philosophical review, it is revealed that prior criticism against gene manipulation has logical loopholes. [Conclusion] Rather than approaching the issue with groundless fear and prejudice, it is necessary to look into its benefits and ethical problems in detail. In addition, better equipped ethical as well as practical grounds are required to control the introduction of gene doping technology.
PURPOSE This study aims to show that the ground for moral condemnation for an act, including cheating, is too vague and ambiguous in sports. Further, in sports, such condemnation and moral assessment must be found in ethical conventions within sports communities. METHODS I discuss how to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable conduct in sports—what exactly is a moral action in sports, and on what basis moral condemnation or praise can be imposed on an action. These are discussed to understand the complexity and ambiguity of sports norms. Next, by examining the concept of cheating offered by prominent moral philosophers and sports philosophers, I argue that the concept of cheating does not have a useful moral compass for identifying cheating in sports. Finally, I show that the practical reasons used by sports communities to justify the normative qualification of actions in a specific way cannot be separated from the practical reasons produced by sports practices. RESULTS I argue that, since cheating in sports does not have the status or qualification of a concept, the evaluation of ethical behavior in sports should be based on the conventional norms instituted within the realm of sport as its starting point and moral basis. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, the normative evaluation of whether an action in sports has been ethically justified should be undertaken from a conventional evaluative perspective operating within the sports community rather than relying on a philosophical verification based on independent reason outside sports.
Purpose Based on Haidt's social-intuitionist theory, this study analyzes the differences in ethical decision-making between sport athletes and the general public in order to understand the ethical judgment tendencies of athletes and examine the determining factors influencing their judgment from the perspective of their environment. In so doing, this study hopes to motivate education for enhancing ethical consciousness as well as institutional policy. Methods To this end, 200 elite athletes in their twenties registered for more than 10 years at the Korean Sports Association and 200 college students in their twenties from five universities in Seoul were selected for comparison. Response trends for each item were analyzed by percentage, and differences between groups were confirmed by the χ2 test method. Results The results are as follows. First, in general ethical situations, athletes usually showed a compulsory ethical view that emphasized principles, whereas in a sports situation, they showed a double consciousness and revealed a very strong consequential ethical view which put much emphasis on outcome. Second, athletes strongly maintained a Confucian ethical view that recognized ethics as a norm compared to the general public and, as a result, it was found that paternalism was relatively stronger than rationalism in their ethical decision making. Third, athletes regarded other people's thoughts and group interests as important criteria for ethical decision-making rather than individual thoughts and interests, and showed a group-centered mindset which emphasized group harmony and relationship. Fourth, while the general public viewed excellent athletes as those with excellent skills and good personality, and valued their morality, athletes thought relatively little of the influence and importance of morality in their success. Finally, it was found that coaches and managers were fundamental to the formation of the athlete’s moral view. Conclusion An in-depth understanding of sports participants' ethical awareness should come first in order to enhance ethical consciousness in sport. I hope this study will work as a catalyst for research which approaches athletes' ethical consciousness from a socio-cultural context.
Purpose Highly popular these days, eSport is inviting increasing scholarly attention and research. Scholarly work on eSport, however, remains focused on whether eSport is a “real” sport, that is, its sporting qualities and status, excluding ethical issues. This paper analyzes ethical issues about cognitive enhancement drugs often associated with eSport in order to suggest guidelines for resolving these issues. Methods First, environmental features of eSport are examined to find out types of cheating in eSport, as well as the ways eSport athletes are exposed to drugs. Next, ethical issues of cognitive enhancement drug use and why they are important are discussed, drawing upon multiple scholars. Last, this paper argues that the ban on drug use conventionally implemented in sport is not appropriate to eSport due to the characteristics of eSport. The paper concludes with possible future approaches to this issue. Results The ban lists administered by ESIC and WADA would not work for the need of eSport athletes and even run a risk of stunting the growth of eSport industries. It is thus important to think up an appropriate drug-related policy for eSport. Preemptive education for eSport athletes is also required to promote the ethical consciousness and judgment regarding drug use. Conclusions Insofar as eSport’s huge popularity leads to the increased status of eSport athletes, thereby exerting much influence on young people, ethical questions about eSport, drug use in particular, need to be urgently discussed for the sake of eSport’s wholesome development.
Purpose The goal of this article is to examine the unwritten law of sports - a moral law - in relation to the purposeful act of continuing to score, when winning has been already secured, in normative terms of sportsmanship. Methods To do this, this article analyzed previous debates on the unwritten law about overwhelming victory and looked at the pros and cons of this law. Then, I contemplated the reasons for these opposite views, as well as the values and theories underpinning these views from the perspective of the nature and morality of sports. Results My argument is that respect for sport should mean more than observing sporting rules and include respect for the tradition and practice of each sport: hence the necessity of the unwritten law regarding overwhelming victory. I also suggested that the mercy rule be applied in a heavily lopsided game in order to maintain sportsmanship in a rational way. Conclusion My discussion on the unwritten law about overwhelming victory from the viewpoint of sportsmanship may reveal the significance of the essence of sports, attitude towards competition as mutual request for excellence, and the importance of winning.
Purpose This study aims to contemplate the identity and significance of sport ethics as an independent academic field by examining how it began and developed, where it is now, and where it will or should be moving forward. Methods First, a history of sports philosophy which gave birth to sport ethics is surveyed. Second, the emergence of sport ethics in the historical development of sport philosophy is analyzed. Third, major methodologies and theoretical frames of sport ethics are introduced. Last, what needs to be done in South Korea in relation to sport ethics is suggested. Results Sport ethics in the future is expected to resort to interdisciplinary approaches which combine a variety of academic disciplines and methodologies. In addition, sport ethics must relate its theory to practice. The pressing task for sport ethics in South Korea is to establish its identity as a separate academic field. In order to do this, we should figure out what to study in sport ethics, and continue to study about the range, methodology, and theoretical frame of sport ethics. Conclusions The establishment and development of an academic field becomes only possible when fully supported by numerous scholars’ work, practical achievement of the field, and a diversity of policy and institution, and a continued discussion and agreement on the content and methods of the discipline. In order to enhance its status as well as professionalism of sport ethics scholars, researchers of various academic backgrounds should study sport ethics, exchange ideas on theory and methodology, and spread results of studies through education, guiding through the development of sports.
Purpose The purpose of this study lies in: 1) clarifying what constitutes coaching ethics; 2) providing a theory to set up a coaching ethics in Korea; 3) and offer a direction to coaching ethics based on its normative traits. Methods In order to achieve this purpose, the following has been done: 1) a review of existing literature has been done to analyze the relationship between professionalism and ethics in coaching and explicate the concept and necessity of coaching ethics; 2) an effort has been made to answer such questions as “why and how much should a coach be ethical?”; “How should a coach be ethically evaluated?”; 3) An analysis of ethical responsibility embedded in coaching has been done, focusing on four ethical theories: Kantian categorical imperative, Aristotelian phronesis, Simon’s broad internalism, and Morgan’s conventionalism. Results This study reviews prior literature considering the relationship between professionalism and ethics in coaching and offers theoretical evidence to explain coaching ethics and its normative aspect. This will help resolve complicated ethical predicaments arising in the field. Conclusions This study emphasizes the role of coaches to improve fairness and wholesomeness in the field of sport, as well as suggests a coaching ethics required of a profession with internal regulations. Coaching ethics not only increases a sense of responsibility on the part of coaches but helps create a virtuous circle in which coaches’ ethical sensibility is reproduced in athletes as well. All in all, coaching ethics can stop important qualities of sport from deteriorating due to commercialism and the winner-takes-all attitude prevalent in sport today and contribute to a fair and wholesome sporting culture.
