Tullius est [et Tullius non est Cicero]: sports ethics

Unlike my ancient predecessor, this Tullius hasn't had his hands chopped off. With hands attached I offer my thoughts on philosophy, religion, politics, and whatever else I find worth mentioning. I'm conservative religiously and politically (with libertarian leanings). I value reason and freedom but also traditions and "Oldthink." I relish being on the wrong side of history when history is wrong--part of a philosopher's job is to be unpopular. (Views given here may not represent my employers')

Showing posts with label sports ethics. Show all posts

Monday, September 8, 2014

Is Booing at a Sporting Event Wrong?

*UPDATE*
A colleague asks (rhetorically?): "So it's OK to boo, if it gets you want you want?"

Answer: No. I'm not a leftist (that the ends justify the means is false). Nonetheless, if what one wants is not immoral, then it is morally OK to boo (provided that there are no evil effects caused by the booing which outweigh the good, such as causing the Steelers to lose).

According to this recent item in the news, some colleges are encouraging their fans not to boo at soccer matches, insinuating that booing is always (or at least often) unsportsmanlike. Are these colleges right?