Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Philosophies
Author ORCID Identifier
Francisco Javier Lopez Frias https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7278-7656
Volume
11
Issue
1
Publisher
MDPI AG
Publication Date
2-3-2026
Journal Article Version
Version of Record
First Page
1
Last Page
21
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Abstract
In this article, I critique the dominance of internalism in sport philosophy and outline an alternative theoretical framework that integrates internal and external elements while striving to transcend the dichotomous language used to conceptualize sport. The analysis begins by claiming that internalism conflates three fundamental teleological aspects of sport: goals, point, and purposes. I argue that this conflation limits internalism’s ability to explain the complexity of sporting practices. By carefully distinguishing these elements, I illustrate their distinct roles in shaping sport and explore how they interact. I conclude by proposing that the alternative pluralist framework briefly sketched here enables a more comprehensive understanding of sport.
Recommended Citation
Lopez Frias, F.J. What Goals? Which Point? Whose Purpose? A Critical Engagement with Sport Internalism. Philosophies 2026, 11, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies11010016