Abstract
Modern sport, as a prominent social event in contemporary society capable of mobilizing millions of people across the planet, appears to the researcher as a relevant object of study. This is because, not only is it a central activity in contemporary societies, but it is one of the most widespread phenomena of the 20th and 21st centuries. This work seeks some answers to the central role that modern sport seems to have, through the ideas of sociocultural homeostasis of neurobiologist António Damásio. We argue that modern sport is a socio-cultural manifestation of biological homeostasis which, in the form of feelings such as fear and motivation, embodies new ways of strengthening the body and new ways of achieving greater well-being. That is, modern sport is the result of unconscious biological mechanisms that, mediated by consciousness through emotions and feelings (like fear and motivation), act in the sociocultural space in order to create devices of homeostatic balance. As we demonstrate, during the 20th and 21st century, several studies proved the benefits of modern sport in health, which helped to strengthen the effectiveness of modern sport in combating, preventing and treat physical and mental illnesses. In sum, we argue that modern sport is a sociocultural way of regulate the body homeostasis.
Presenters
Ricardo SerradoResearcher, Instituto de Filosofia - Faculdade de Letras do Porto, Portugal
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sport, Sociocultural homeostasis, Health, Physical exercise, Human species
