Wisdom of the Body in Sport and Exercise Practices

Abstract

IntroductionThe phrase "wisdom of the body" might seem quite absurd at first. This is because wisdom is usually understood as a kind of metaphysical reality -something in our mind, not something that exists in the physical reality or is empirically sensible. Wisdom can be comprehended by reason alone. On the other hand, the body in its activities is not something thoughtful or conscious in and of itself. The body is experienced in and through our senses. Furthermore, the objective empirical science of medicine is widely recognized as the best approach for understanding the body and how it functions. However, the ancient Greeks have termed the embodiment or personification of "wisdom" Mētis, the daughter of Oceanus and Thetys. Among other things, she was the first love and wife of Zeus (Smith 1867). When considering human excellence, arête or virtue, Aristotle claimed that it was neither practical nor theoretical. As Miller (2004, p. 239) states, Aristotle's belief was that "all parts of the human person -body, soul and mind -were needed to practice arête." This demonstrates with clarity why Aristotle saw physical education as essential in supporting the development of knowledge:

Felsefe ve Spor: Beden Bilgeliğinin Spora Etkisi

“…However, Plato himself realized the power of the body in shaping the soul and stated that bodily exercises are an important factor in the training of the soul (Plato, 1969). This is similar to what modern psychophysiology has discovered: "Every change in the physiological state is accompanied by an appropriate change in the mental emotional state, conscious or unconscious" (Pisk, 2017). If man is open to receive the messages of the body, it will be seen that the body can contribute to the whole development of man.…”

“…However, as in ancient times, the happiest and most fulfilled person in modern times is the one who is in harmony with his body. However, it seems that the practice of listening to the body is better preserved in the East than in the West (Pisk, 2017).…”

“…Herodicus, mentioned in Plato's Republic, is a well-known example. Herodicus was very good at doing bodily exercises to maintain his health, and that's why he won the prize of old age (Pisk, 2017). In Plato's view of the body, a sound body does not heal the soul, but a good soul, by virtue of its virtue, makes the body the best it can be (Plato, 1969).…”

Jugoistok Garićkog županata u 13. i 14. stoljeću

“…69 84 Ovaj se posjed povezuje s naseljem Bekethync koje se dosta često spominje u ispravama pavlinskog samostana na Gariću. 85 Nije sigurno gdje se nalazio, a Pisk pretpostavlja njegov smještaj na područje današnjih mjesta Čaire i Brinjani, dok ga Engel ubicira između Garešnice i Palešnika. 86 Meni se zasad, prema naprijed rečenom, čini da bi ga ipak valjalo tražiti zapadno od Dišnika, na području gdje se danas prostiru predjeli Čičin jarak, Mali Prokop i Pustare, što bi otprilike odgovaralo posjedu Vdeza iz 1256., spomenutom na zapadnoj međi Desnice Berislavovih sinova i Vučetine Zabrudne.…”

Knowledge and Attitude of Hungarian Athletes towards Long-term Sports Injuries

“…Maffulli, Longo, Gougoulias, Loppini, and Denaro (2010) found that elite athletes often risk severe sports injuries to achieve better results. Elite athletes often force the body beyond its capabilities, which causes pain and can even cause injury (Pisk, 2017). According to Sávolt-Szabó (2015), the occurrence of sports injuries and accidents are increasing, as are permanent impairments to health, because of the increasingly higher expectations that increase pressure in competitive sports.…”