The Allure of Useless Play - Prof. R. Scott Kretchmar (Pt2) - Meaningful Sport Series

Physical Activity Researcher

This is the second part of our conversation with Prof. em. R. Scott Kretchmar on meaningful movement experiences. In the first part, we explored why sport could be valuable as a "mere" hobby, and three approaches to physical education - prudential, affective and intellectual - and why they might be problematic when we are seeking to promote meaningful experiences.

In the second part, we start exploring why challenging experiences are valuable, why the work of Eleanor Metheny is important for our understanding of meaningful movement, and storytelling and identity in sport. We then move on to discussing Scott´s work together with Nick Watson on Chesterton and theology of play. See Chesterton on play, work, paradox, and Christian orthodoxy.

R. Scott Kretchmar is a Professor Emeritus of exercise and sport science at Penn State University, Pennsylvania. He is one of the leading philosophers of sport whose work has explored a range of topics, including in the area of values and meaning in physical activity and ethics of sport.

---

Liked this episode? You might also like the episode with Drs Déirdre Ní Chróinín and Tim Fletcher on Meaningful PE and Greg Dryer on Whether Fun is a Necessary Part of Good PE