Three models of failed athletic contests

Abstract

Arvi Pakaslahti’s model of failed athletic contests (the Two Ideals Model) and Mika Hämäläinen’s most recent model of failed athletic contests (the Four Items Model) are the two most sophisticated models of failed athletic contests in the philosophy of sport literature. In this paper, I argue that the Two Ideals Model is a more plausible model of failed athletic contests than the Four Items Model. However, I also argue that the Two Ideals Model is an incomplete model of failed athletic contests. I suggest that instead of accepting the Two Ideals Model, it would be better to endorse what I call ‘the Three Ideals Model’.

Keywords

• injustice
• athletic skill
• athletic superiority
• official result
• official final ranking