Who knew that football could be so fascinating when looked at with a philosophical eye? Globally speaking, soccer is the most popular sport in the world. European culture nearly comes to a full stop during the quadrennial World Cup tournament, and interest in the U.S. has been charted for decades by the growing ranks of dedicated soccer moms and youth leagues. Yet aside from the famous Monty Python sketch "International Football", which pits an inspired Archimedes and his fellow Greeks against Nietzsche and the moustache-twirling Germans, soccer has failed to gain the intellectual attention it deserves. Until now. This volume gives a leading team of international philosophers a free kick toward exploring the complex and often hidden contours of the world's most popular game. What does it really mean to be a football fan (and why should we count Aristotle as one)? Why do great players such as Cristiano Ronaldo count as great artists (up there alongside Picasso, one author argues)? From the ethics of refereeing to the metaphysics of bent (like Beckham) spacetime, this book will have soccer fans using their heads to appreciate and understand their favourite sport even more.
Soccer and Philosophy
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"A soccer book like no other! At last we know which team Nietzsche would have supported, and why people care so much about the sport. This books is a delight, and it taught me more philosophy than I learned in my entire time at university." --SIMON KUPER, co-author of "Soccernomics"
""Soccer and Philosophy" captures the essence of our wonderful sport, its transcendental qualitites, and explains why we care so deeply and maddeningly about twenty-two players and a ball." --STEVEN GOFF, "Washington Post"
"A fascinating and insightful read for thoughtful fans of the Beautiful Game. If you want to delve deeper into the inner workings of the world's most popular sprot, "Soccer and Philosophy" is a must have." --NICK WEBSTER, commentator for Fox Soccer Channel and host of "Fox Football Fone-In"
"This volume will be enjoyed by those who have a passion for philosophy or football or both. Its distinctions and judgments will also be argued with endlessly. I got a great kick out of "Soccer and Philosophy."" --ERIC SCHLIESSER, support of AFC Ajax and Holland, and Professor of Philosophy, Ghent University
""Soccer and Philosophy" is a passionate exploration of the meaning of soccer seen through the eyes of some of the greatest thinkers. Whether you're a player, a coach, a soccer mom, a referee, or a fan, this is a must read book." --ETHAN ZOHN, Winner of "Survivor: Africa" and co-founder of "Grassroots Soccer"
"Ted Richards, the Special One of philosophy, has assembled a dream team for this volume. Combining the defensive tenacity of the Italians with the precision teamwork of the Germans and the individual brilliance of the Brazilians, the authors offer total philosophy. "Soccer and Philosophy" is the best thinking person's guide to the Beautiful Game." --ALAN RICHARDSON, Stoke City supporter and Professor of Philosophy, University of British Columbia
"What does Plato have to do with Pele? How is Ronaldo like Picasso? What makes a te
About the Author
Ted Richards teaches at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great read and great value for anyone who enjoys the beautiful game. Unlike a lot of soccer books, this one doesn't focus on the game or the history of it. Instead, various authors comment on different aspects, provoking deeper thought about a lot of things that have been discussed almost ad nauseam in football circles for many years.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deserves a dual location on philosophy and sports shelves
July 9 2010
By Midwest Book Review
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Soccer and Philosophy provides an unusual pairing: soccer notes by philosophers - and offers insights on ethics, metaphysics, and issues of beauty and form in the soccer environment. By blending philosophical principles and inquiry with soccer specifics, this will reach an audience not ordinarily attracted to philosophy books, and deserves a dual location on philosophy and sports shelves alike.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, Whimsical and Cogent
July 7 2010
By ImageMD
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
First, ignore the comments on the back cover. They are banal clichés (See Chapter 3: The Boy Done Good? Football's Clichés). I doubt the comments were written by people who actually finished the book.
Second, although this is a book about soccer, the analysis and conclusions may be applied to all sports. (See Chapter 8: What's Luck Got to do with it?).
Third, think about how sports overlap with life and demand the attendance of prominent politicians - to toss the first ball, etc. (See Chapter 24: When a Soccer Club Becomes a Mirror).
Fourth, think about how the officials on the field, in the ring or on the court influence the outcome of the game. (See Chapter 28: The Loneliness of the Referee).
Fifth, Consider whether prayer before, during or after the game influences its outcome. (Chapter 29: God is not a Referee)
This enumeration of thoughts about soccer could to go on without end, just like a 0 to 0 soccer game, requiring a shoot out (see Chapter 27: It's a Lottery!: Penalties and the Meaning of Winning). Oh, did I tell you about the wonderful creative writing in Chapter 26: Kierkegaard at the Penalty Spot?
This is a wonderful, whimsical and cogent book for soccer fans and soccer players, particularly those who enjoyed their philosophy courses in college. The book has multiple authors with uneven writing, but the good writers more than make up for the others.
Second, although this is a book about soccer, the analysis and conclusions may be applied to all sports. (See Chapter 8: What's Luck Got to do with it?).
Third, think about how sports overlap with life and demand the attendance of prominent politicians - to toss the first ball, etc. (See Chapter 24: When a Soccer Club Becomes a Mirror).
Fourth, think about how the officials on the field, in the ring or on the court influence the outcome of the game. (See Chapter 28: The Loneliness of the Referee).
Fifth, Consider whether prayer before, during or after the game influences its outcome. (Chapter 29: God is not a Referee)
This enumeration of thoughts about soccer could to go on without end, just like a 0 to 0 soccer game, requiring a shoot out (see Chapter 27: It's a Lottery!: Penalties and the Meaning of Winning). Oh, did I tell you about the wonderful creative writing in Chapter 26: Kierkegaard at the Penalty Spot?
This is a wonderful, whimsical and cogent book for soccer fans and soccer players, particularly those who enjoyed their philosophy courses in college. The book has multiple authors with uneven writing, but the good writers more than make up for the others.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great collection!
May 29 2010
By ThrowerGB
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
What a great book! A collection of different philosophical treatments of the beautiful game from the sublime to the humorous. And just in time for the World Cup too!
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
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