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ABSTRACT
This paper analyses the ethics of rule breaking, lying, and failing to try one’s best in recreational sports and leisure activities. Foundational philosophical arguments regarding the ethics of cheating, lying, and failing to try by Scott Kretchmar, Robert Simon, and Sissela Bok are applied to cases of seemingly unethical behaviour in leisure practices. Three specific scenarios are addressed: (1) recreational-level participants who intentionally break rules, (2) participants who exaggerate their performances, and (3) participants who appear more concerned with collecting medals and ensuring selfies are taken than with putting forth significant effort. The resulting philosophical analysis addresses why cheating, lying, and sandbagging can be tolerated as part of the ethos of some leisure activities while being disdained in others, and what, if anything, is morally wrong about cheating, lying and not trying one’s best during recreational sports and leisure practices.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Pam R. Sailors is Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs at Missouri State University (Springfield), USA. Recent publications include work on sex segregation in sport and an ethical evaluation of American football. The common thread in her research is focus on and concern equity and fairness.
Sarah Teetzel is an Associate Professor and the Associate Dean (undergraduate education) in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Her research focuses on Olympic studies, doping, and gender issues in sport.
Charlene Weaving is an Associate Professor in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. She primarily publishes in the area of gender and sport philosophy. Recent publications include analysis of UFC fighter, Ronda Rousey, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Weaving is the current President of the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport (IAPS).