Philosophical Research: “What is this mumbo, jumbo stuff?”

What most people think: Poorly understood and not highly valued….

Why? Rise in empirical science onset of related doubts about reflective, reason-based procedures lack of consensus among contemporary philosophers about proper research goals and strategies

Yet, Recognition for the need of reflective, philosophical insights related to movement activity, teacher education practices, and so forth may be growing...

Philosophy: The “Mother of all Sciences” Philosophic and empirical can be complimentary….

Fundamental goal: Examine reality by using reflective procedures can address questions empiricists cannot

Empirical science: Approach the phenomenon by looking through microscopes at muscle tissue, collecting respiratory or blood pressure data, by employing statistical procedures to determine strengths of possible causal relationships.

Philosophers: Reflect on education practices, counseling practices, recreation, and exercise and uses such things as ideas and ideals, meanings, lived experience, values, logical relationships, and reasons in attempting to shed some light on it.

Scope of questioning Empiricists: gather all information and data possible on exercise & health... Philosophers: questions still remain… Why should we exercise? To live longer? To live better? Both?

For education: Empiricists: gather all information and data possible on teaching methods, learning strategies, outcomes. Philosophers: questions still remain… Who should be taught? What should they be taught? Who should teach?

Philosophers: Nothing lies outside realm of legitimate inquiry Integrates, questions, investigates Is never satisfied….

Which is more important? To live longer or quality of life? How do we determine quality of life? Which is more important? To teach for content or life long learning? How do we determine life long learning?

Philosophic needed because: Empirical research is incomplete…. For example:

A better empirical understanding of various physiological mechanisms, coupled with more sophisticated information on exercise as a physiological stressor helps us predict and control outcomes of an active lifestyle.

But because of human condition: Human exercise is complex event. relationship is tenuous at best:

But, what is it Doc? “The deliberate and rational attempt to understand both the whole and parts of one’s experience in both the subjective and objective to form a more perfect life.” Tillich

Branches of Philosophy: Metaphysics Axiology Epistemology Logics

Metaphysical The study of the nature of reality –Why does man play? –What should we teach? –Who should teach? –What is exercise science, physical education, kinesiology? –What is competition?

Epistemology The study of the origin, nature, methods, and limits of knowledge –How do we know? –What do we know? –How do we know that what we know is what we know? –How do we learn through education, through sport, through play?

Axiology The study of values: Aesthetics & ethics –What do we value? –What is beautiful? Ugly? –Why do we cheat? –What is of value of education? –What is of value of exercise & fitness?

Logics The study of the nature of of exact thought –seldom studied in the sport world but methods are used in analysis –induction: particulars to general –deduction: general to particular –syllogism: if p = q & q =r then p = r.

Examples of Schools of Philosophy: Idealism: world of the mind Realism: world of nature & science Pragmatism: world of experience Existentialism: world of existing

Methodologies Speculation {the most difficult} –ponders Normative: systematic, coherent plan--stated position Analytical: analyze, clarify, linguistic analysis--does not take sides.