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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

183114

Transhuman athletes and pathological perfectionism

recognising limits in sports and human nature

Michael J. McNamee

pp. 185-198

Abstract

In recent discussions in sports and bioethics there it has been suggested that sports may become a site where the modification of human nature itself might be played out. In this essay I explore the desirability of the idea that there might be athletes who could transcend humanity and thus transform sports. I argue that such a desire is a failure to consider the goodness of human and athletic vulnerability. I argue against the idea of the transhuman athlete, and reject it as a form of pathological perfectionism.

Publication details

Published in:

Tolleneer Jan, Sterckx Sigrid, Bonte Pieter (2013) Athleticenhancement, human nature and ethics: threats and opportunities of doping technologies. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 185-198

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5101-9_10

Full citation:

McNamee Michael J. (2013) „Transhuman athletes and pathological perfectionism: recognising limits in sports and human nature“, In: J. Tolleneer, S. Sterckx & P. Bonte (eds.), Athleticenhancement, human nature and ethics, Dordrecht, Springer, 185–198.