On a philosophical theory of sport in China: review study

This research presents a review on the state of the philosophy of sport in China taking into account both the Chinese contributions and the main non-oriental works. To this end, it stresses the need to get committed to appropriate interpretations from the rigor of intercultural perspective. In this sense, it supports a critical revision of the traditional positions from which the Eastern is interpreted, that is to say China, to reformulate scientific and disciplined readings. It offers a brief biography of the notion of sport in China and it combines generic works to strengthen an ethical and socio-political analysis, as well as a perspective of Olympic movement as a social and sporting phenomenon. It highlights the relevance of philosophically analyzing possibly secured concepts in Western societies as the very concept of “sport” which, when transferred to different societies and cultures, especially from a linguistic and philosophical point of view, require re-formulations. It contextualizes the possibility of a Philosophy of sport in China and, with it, it proposes nine research lines as a road map of philosophical commitments which the possibility of a theory of the Philosophy of sport in China, extendible to other oriental cultures, should take into account. 

KEYWORDS: Philosophy of sport, body culture, orientalism, yundong, sport in China.