The purpose of this paper is to examine the morality of fair playfrom the viewpoint of moral philosophy based on Kant's theory. Up until now, we have been confronted with the questions of ‘Why must we be fair?’ or ‘What is fair play?’ in the realm of sports and ethics.
Prior studies about the morality of fair play are roughly able to be classified into two categories. One is the position emphasizing fairness and sportspersonship and criticizing excessive adherence to winning in terms of public morality. The other is the position claiming that the most important thing in sports is just winning. However, these thoughts about morality of fair play claimed in prior studies seem to be unclear.
So, this paper considers the fundamentals of moral conduct through the framework of Kant's philosophy and then points out another thought on the morality of fair play. The concept of ‘lust’ is especially focused upon.
The summary of this paper is as follows:
According to Kant's deontological philosophy,
1. The moral conducts are to stipulate one's own will not to suppose ‘lust’. That is to say, lust should not play a part in your moral conducts. Lust varies among individuals and that is why it is difficult to judge what is good or bad objectively.
2. Fair play does not necessarily mean moral conduct. As long as lust (honor, venality, etc.) is the basis behind your actions, it is not truly a moral conduct even though it may be seen as one.
3. Conducts, in competitive sports as well, are accepted as moral when one's own maxim agrees with the moral principle. However, can a concept such as ‘moral fair play’ be actually accepted in the sporting world? This question still lingers on that how this fair play could be positioned as ‘good’ in the sporting world. The question is the significant matter hereafter.
