Journal of the Philosophy of Sport | Special Issue: Dangerous Sport

Journal of the Philosophy of Sport  

Call for Proposals Special Issue: Dangerous Sport

Guest-Editor: Patrick Findler

Participation in dangerous sports – sports in which risk of serious injury or death is an intrinsic and thus unavoidable element – has grown significantly over the past several decades. These sports raise interesting and important ethical, metaphysical, political, and existential questions, so it is not surprising that they have attracted the interest of philosophers. This special issue will collect together new essays that explore the rich and diverse range of philosophical issues related to dangerous sports. 

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

The value of dangerous sports

The role of risk, pain, and suffering in dangerous sports

The role of technology in dangerous sports

Moral luck and dangerous sports

Head trauma and chronic pain and injury in dangerous sports

Obligations dangerous sport athletes have to one another, to family, and to the broader community 

Coaching dangerous sports 

The use of, and encounters with, animals in dangerous sports

Subcultures and norms within dangerous sports

Access and inclusion in dangerous sports

The commercialization and professionalization of dangerous sports 

Autonomy, paternalism, and dangerous sports

Regulating dangerous sports

Responsibilities of fans/spectators of dangerous sports

Those interested in contributing to the special issue, please send abstracts (300-500 words) by email to Patrick Findler (patrick.findler@kpu.ca). The subject line should be: “JPS Special Issue on Dangerous Sport”

Deadline for Abstract Submission: March 1, 2025

Selection of articles for inclusion (based on abstracts): June 1, 2025

Deadline for Submission of draft manuscripts: November 1, 2025

Comments back to authors: January 1, 2026

Deadline for submission of final manuscripts: March 1, 2026

Publication: July 2026