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Right to Pursue Arete
1. Susan J. Rayl
State University of New York –
College at Cortland
THE RIGHT TO
PURSUE ARETE’
2. Arete’
• An Ancient Greek word meaning excellence or virtue, being the best
one can be
• The arete’ of something is the highest quality that can be reached
• Ancient Greek philosophy stressed the development of arete’ in
three aspects of one’s life: Mind, Body, Spirit
• Mind = cognitive = mental
• Body = psychomotor = physical
• Spirit = affective = social/emotional
• Neglect of one aspect was the sign of an incomplete man
• As such, ancient Greek citizens had a right to participate and pursue
arete’ in athletics
3. Three Cultures as Examples
•Native American
•Nuban (Sudan, Egypt)
•British / American “Muscular Christianity”
4. Native American
• Sport and physical activity played / plays a prominent role
• Sport was / is associated with religious ceremonies, festive
celebrations, social relaxation
• A strong connection between sport and other social, spiritual (a
connection to the creator), and economic aspects of sport.
• Both males and females participated in sport and physical activity,
but with different expectations.
• Lacrosse was / is a unifying “sport”
• Also shinny, double ball, footraces, archery, swimming
• Native Americans actively pursued arete’ in their life – and sport
played a major role
5. Nuban (Sudan, Egypt)
• Wrestling served / serves to unite the various Nuban tribes
• Embedded in the culture – ceremonial in nature
• Perpetuates the culture
• An expected and highly anticipated activity for all young men
• Serves as a rite of passage
• Women played / play a supportive role through pre-contest
preparations, and singing, chanting, dancing
• Champion wrestlers are viewed as we would view an Olympic
champion
• Nubans actively pursue arete’ through wrestling and dancing
6. British / American “Muscular Christianity”
• “Muscular Christianity” evolved in the later 1800’s
• A “Muscular Christian” was one who pursued arete’ in three
aspects of their lives”: Mind, Body, Spirit
• The body was viewed as the “temple of God” and needed to be
cared for in order to carry out the duties in one’s life.
• Staying physically fit / being a top athletes were important
• Luther Gulick, who instructed James Naismith at the International
YMCA in Springfield, MA, created the YMCA symbol – a triangle
denoting Mind, Body, and Spirit.
• Young men, and eventually young women actively pursued arete’ in
their sporting lives
7.
8. Today
• People of all ages pursue arete’
• Every person, of every ability, has a right to pursue arete’ in all
aspects of their lives
• …including the “physical”…Sport / Athletics
