Ethics Theory, TLP-UPSC Mains Answer Writing
Do you think sports teach a lot about ethics? Explain with the help of suitable examples.
क्या आपको लगता है कि खेल नैतिकता के बारे में बहुत कुछ सिखाते हैं? उपयुक्त उदाहरणों की सहायता से व्याख्या कीजिए।
Approach –
In this question candidates should write about how sports teach a lot about ethics in second part of answer write some examples to explain your points.
Introduction –
The sportsmanship is built on the idea that sport both demonstrates and encourages character development, which then influences the moral character of the broader community. How we each compete in sports can have an effect on our personal moral and ethical behavior outside of the competition.
Body –
Sports teaches athletes to respect effort and work ethic –
- Sports allow people to evaluate each other on merit: skills, work ethic, commitment, and integrity.
- Having had that experience with teammates in sport, athletes learn to recognize those qualities in people as adults, making them more likely to embrace equality and respect people equally based on values and actions instead of stereotypes.
To respect individuals for unique traits –
- Those who feel threatened by other people’s skills, intelligence, or talents use harassment to gain and maintain a position of controlled power.
- Youth sports teach kids early on that individual teammates possess unique skills, and the benefits of utilizing those talents on and off the competitive field, not suppressing them.
- As adults, this lesson manifests as men and women who value and respect each other for the talents and skills they bring to a project, a job, or a family.
- These are adults who care more about the team’s success than personal glory, and understand that a leadership position is about bringing forth everyone’s best effort.
Sports teaches athletes to lead through collaboration-
- Many parents encourage children to participate in youth sports to develop leadership skills. Perhaps more important is the type of leaders sport produces.
- Athletes learn there is no way to obtain a teammate’s best effort through force or intimidation.
- If you want a person’s best effort, that person needs to feel valued, safe, and appreciated so they want to give their best. Leaders of great sports teams win the loyalty of their teammates through collaboration, not intimidation.
Sport teaches athletes to lose –
- Harassment and bullying are fueled by insecurities, and a fear of losing is one of the reasons insecure people seek to dominate others.
- They use intimidation and force to maintain the positions of power they fear losing if their insecurities and weaknesses are exposed. Athletes, on the other hand, learn losing doesn’t diminish your value or self-worth.
- Anyone can be outplayed on any day, and athletes learn to respect an opponent’s skill and effort, even in defeat. Sports teach athletes competition – and by extension, life is a series of wins and losses, none of which change who you are.
- Athletes don’t fear losing because they know it’s not the end of the world, and that the best way to create another opportunity to win is by working hard, moving forward, and earning it.
- In many ways, athletic competitions mimic other aspects of life; its disappointments, victories, and struggles. These experiences can have meaningful implications on people’s behaviors, values, and understanding of themselves and others.
Examples of ethical behavior by sportsperson –
- Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was told by his father that he would be a role model in future and so he should never promote alcohol or tobacco products.
- Pat Tillman-Tillman was a rock star college football player until the September 11 attacks happened. He gave up a multi-million-dollar contract to go pro and joined the Army. His brother, Kevin, turned down a professional baseball career to enlist alongside Pat.
- Stephon Marbury-Marbury knows what it’s like to grow up poor. He spent a childhood not knowing if mom would be able to put food on the table and longing for basketball shoes but knowing there’s no money for them. That’s why this NBA star founded his n line of sneakers, jerseys and basketball accessories. He’s not making a ton of profit selling shoes at $15 a pop, but he is making a lot of dreams come true.
Conclusion-
The value of sports lies in their ability to do more than identify the best athletes. Sports can instill important values, including respect and teamwork, as well as teach lessons about perseverance and honesty. As far back as ancient Greece, athletics have been seen as an important character-building tool that encourages discipline, collaboration, and responsibility. Sports without ethics do not live up to these values.