Call for Submissions: What is Good In Sport?

Special Issue of The Journal of the Philosophy of Sport

Coordinated by: Shawn E. Klein and Francisco Javier López Frías

 The question ‘What is good in sport?’ admits many possible meanings and, as such, can bring together discussions about a wide range of metaethical issues related to how we determine what qualifies as ‘good’ in the context of sport. It also encourages examination of the different sources and evaluations of normativity in sport, including ethical, aesthetic, social, and political aspects: Does it mean what makes sport a worthwhile activity? Does it mean what qualifies as good within sport? Does it mean what good we gain from participating? Whatever way the question is understood, it opens up rich philosophical ground and invites varied perspectives.

We invite submissions that critically explore the potential meanings of ‘good’ in sport, as well as the different sources of goodness in sport. Submissions that closely engage with foundational sources in the philosophy of sport and integrate them with broader philosophical approaches will be highly valued.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to):

•  What types of values does sport instantiate?
• What makes sport valuable in itself? Does a focus on instrumental value undermine the appreciation of the intrinsic value of sport?
• What does it mean to be a ‘good’ athlete? How do excellence and beauty intertwine in sport? Can ethical and aesthetic value be separated from each other?
• How should we evaluate good play?
• What social function(s) does sport serve? Do sporting activities contribute to individual valuable goals, such as flourishing? Do they play a part in promoting the common good?
• When does sport go wrong, becoming ‘bad’ sport? What corrupts sport, or distorts its value?
• What philosophers and philosophical traditions are most helpful in elucidating the value of sport?
• Does sport have existential significance? What makes sport valuable from a communitarian perspective?

 Submission process:

The submission process will consist of two stages.

In the first phase, contributors must submit an extended abstract (800 to 1,000 words, excluding a bibliography of 10 to 15 references) that outlines the main points of their contribution. Extended abstracts should be emailed to Shawn E. Klein (sklein@asu.edu) and Francisco Javier López Frías (javi.lopezfrias@usu.edu), with Pam Sailors (PamelaSailors@MissouriState.edu) copied. The special issue associate editors and the journal’s editor-in-chief will evaluate the abstracts for relevance to the special issue, ensuring a complementary selection of articles and adherence to the journal’s scope and publication standards.

In the second phase, contributors whose abstracts are selected will prepare a complete manuscript following the journal’s author guidelines (https://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?show=instructions&journalCode=rjps20). The manuscripts will be submitted through the journal’s submission platform and will undergo double-blind peer review. Each manuscript will be evaluated by two reviewers: a scholar who has submitted a manuscript for consideration to the special issue, and a scholar with relevant expertise who has no affiliation with the special issue. Authors should therefore expect to review a peer’s article. Every submission must receive two favorable evaluations to be accepted for publication.

Timetable:

•  Abstract submission deadline: October 22, 2026
• Abstract selection notification: November 1, 2026
• Full paper submission deadline: January 16, 2027
• Reviewer feedback due: February 27, 2027
• Revised article submission deadline: March 20th, 2027
• Second review round due: April 15th, 2027
• Final paper submission deadline: May 1, 2027
• Special Issue Publication: TBD

Any questions about the call should be directed to Shawn E. Klein (sklein@asu.edu) and Francisco Javier López Frías (javi.lopezfrias@usu.edu).