[Pathways] Mixed Martial Arts and Philosophy

Squaring the Octagon: Philosophers Grapple with Mixed Martial Arts

Edited by Jason Holt and Marc Ramsay

Call for Abstracts
Deadline: 15 January 2020

Apologies for x-posting

In mere decades, mixed martial arts (MMA) has exploded as a worldwide phenomenon, a sport as controversial as it is compelling, one that demands serious philosophical attention. Abstracts are sought for a prospective anthology on the philosophical significance of MMA.

Possible topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Is MMA a true martial art?
• MMA vs. traditional martial arts and combat sports
• MMA epistemology: the nature of know-how
• Tournament of techniques: strikers vs. grapplers, cage vs. street
• MMA as illustrating philosophical theories
• Philosophically useful case studies: GSP, Ronda Rousey, BJ Penn, etc.
• Is it immoral to participate in or watch MMA and other violent sports?
• Ethical/legal dimensions of MMA (consent, legal moralism, paternalism, etc.)
• Respect, gamesmanship, and cheating in MMA
• Performance-enhancing drugs in MMA
• MMA and gender
• Beauty and ugliness in MMA
• Is MMA an art form?

An editor at Routledge has expressed interest in receiving a full proposal, to be submitted once abstracts have been finalized.

Initial submission should include an abstract (150-250 words) and CV, sent to both Jason Holt (jason.holt@acadiau.ca) and Marc Ramsay (marc.ramsay@acadiau.ca) by 15 January 2020.

Timeline:
Deadline for abstract/CV: 15 January 2020
Notification of abstract status: 30 January 2020
First draft: 1 June 2020
Final draft: 1 September 2020

(NB: Abstract acceptance does not by itself guarantee acceptance of the full paper.)

Prof. Jason Holt
School of Kinesiology
Acadia University
550 Main St.
Wolfville, NS
B4P 2R6
Canada
Website: https://kinesiology.acadiau.ca/faculty-staff/jason-holt.html