An introduction to the logic of human body : referring to M.Maekawa's theory of the body

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to delive a new viewpoint of "the logic of human body" which would be indispensable to establish "theory of the body for the studies of physical education "referring to M. Maekawa's theory of the body from phenomenological viewpoints. Disputed points are: 1) the reason why Maekawa could not develop his theory of the body as a basic frame of reference for the studies of physical education, 2) his view of mind-body-oneness, and 3) logical relations between his theory of the body and mind-body-oneness. Main findings are as follows: 1) Maekawa could not accomplish his initial intention of establishing the studies of physical education as an independent academic discipline, because his theory of the body which was based on the view of mind-body-oneness did not bestow unique academic characteristics upon the studies of physical education but presented merely a mode of human understandings as a whole. 2) He could not develop his theory of the body into a theoretical framework of systematizing the studies of physical education, because his view of the studies of physical education was originally conceived on the pedagogic basis. 3) As a prerequisite of providing a philosophical basis of the studies of physical education, it was suggested to be essential to establish "theory of the body for the studies of physical education". The theory of the body should be based on "the logic of human body" which places the focus on the human body itself, and the logic of human body means here "the phenomenological logic of body functions" which brings human movement into existence. It was concluded that, the attain Maeakawn's intention, his theory of the body should be re-framed by introducing phemomenological viewpoints of the human body functions.