Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Human Performance and Sport Studies

Major Professor

William Morgan

Committee Members

Betsy Postow, Joy Desensi, Barbara Thayer-Bacon

Abstract

The strategic foul has rapidly become accepted as an integral part of many modern serious athletic competitions. Strategic fouls involve intentionally breaking the rules so as to achieve some sort of benefit, where the benefit gained comes through getting caught. Such fouls can also be extended beyond the realm of the sporting world, as with the case of the defective trust. However, the use of such a strategy raises serious moral questions. Philosophers like Warren Fraleigh have questioned the strategic foul and its moral acceptability. According to Fraleigh and those who share his point of view, strategic fouls represent cheating and are inherently selfish in nature. If these claims were true, then strategic fouling could not be morally acceptable. The strategic foul, I will argue, is in fact morally permissible, because it adds to the good contest. I argue that contesting is inherently good because it provides us with knowledge, knowledge that can be used to forge our own identity. Good contests are characterized by sportsmanship and fair play, so as long as strategic fouling is compatible with the concepts of sportsmanship and fair play, it should also be compatible with the good contest. I also argue that strategic fouls are not simply the violation of rules, but rather, are an option available to the athletes. Such an option comes with a price; depending on the sport, the price might be a foul shot, a holding penalty, or a minor penalty. If strategic fouls are a price for an option rather than strictly a violation of the rules, then my argument that strategic fouls are morally permissible is further strengthened.

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