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Running and Philosophy: A Marathon for the Mind
A unique anthology of essays exploring the philosophical wisdom runners contemplate when out for a run. It features writings from some of America’s leading philosophers, including Martha Nussbaum, Charles Taliaferro, and J.P. Moreland.
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First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 22, 2022
Ein paar der Mit-Autoren waren tatsächlich sehr inspirierend oder interessant oder beides. Insgesamt gute 3,5 Sterne für dieses Buch.
April 11, 2022
This is a man's world - zumindest könnte man das glauben, wenn man dieses Buch liest. Inklusive Vorwort besteht 'Die Philosophie des Laufens' aus 17 Texten, die geschrieben wurden von 15 Männern und zwei Frauen. Alle sind weiß (bzw. für einen Autor konnte ich es nicht sicher herausfinden) - und das, obwohl die schnellsten Läufer:innen der Welt mehrheitlich Schwarz sind und sicherlich auch spannende Beiträge liefern könnten, aber najaaaa, lassen wir das mal so stehen und fahren fort.
Obwohl mir im Vorwort angekündigt wurde, dass das Buch durch die unterschiedlichen Sichtweisen der Autor:innen super divers ist, war es das (surprise) nicht. Abgesehen von o.g. Gesichtspunkten, handeln die meisten Texte davon, wie krass Marathon laufen ist und auf welche Arten und Weisen Menschen versuchen, sich dazu zu motivieren und noch schneller zu werden - alles untermalt mit philosophischen Gedanken (meist) längst toter "Klassiker" der Philosophie, wie dem guten alten Nietzsche oder - noch toter - Aristoteles.
Die meisten Texte haben mich schlicht gelangweilt, da ich keinen Marathon laufen will und keine Ambitionen habe, mein Laufen der Leistungsgesellschaft unterzuordnen um immer schneller besser stärker zu werden.
Man könnte sich nun fragen, warum ich dieses Buch dann erworben und gelesen habe. Vielleicht wegen Texten wie dem von Maximilian Probst, in dem ständige Selbstoptimierung kritisiert wird. Oder wegen Isabel Bogdan, die mit Ach und Krach einen 10km-Lauf absolviert hat und das mit viel Humor und berechtigtem Stolz berichtet.
Bestimmt können manch andere dem Buch viel abgewinnen - z.B. Marathon-Interessierte oder Leute, die sich gerne in Wettkämpfen messen.
Obwohl mir im Vorwort angekündigt wurde, dass das Buch durch die unterschiedlichen Sichtweisen der Autor:innen super divers ist, war es das (surprise) nicht. Abgesehen von o.g. Gesichtspunkten, handeln die meisten Texte davon, wie krass Marathon laufen ist und auf welche Arten und Weisen Menschen versuchen, sich dazu zu motivieren und noch schneller zu werden - alles untermalt mit philosophischen Gedanken (meist) längst toter "Klassiker" der Philosophie, wie dem guten alten Nietzsche oder - noch toter - Aristoteles.
Die meisten Texte haben mich schlicht gelangweilt, da ich keinen Marathon laufen will und keine Ambitionen habe, mein Laufen der Leistungsgesellschaft unterzuordnen um immer schneller besser stärker zu werden.
Man könnte sich nun fragen, warum ich dieses Buch dann erworben und gelesen habe. Vielleicht wegen Texten wie dem von Maximilian Probst, in dem ständige Selbstoptimierung kritisiert wird. Oder wegen Isabel Bogdan, die mit Ach und Krach einen 10km-Lauf absolviert hat und das mit viel Humor und berechtigtem Stolz berichtet.
Bestimmt können manch andere dem Buch viel abgewinnen - z.B. Marathon-Interessierte oder Leute, die sich gerne in Wettkämpfen messen.
December 15, 2008
Broken down into about 20 essays written by 20 different philosophy runners. Each writer wite abotu a different subject of running and compares it to philosophy or uses philosophy to help get a better understanding of running. Well, of the 20, I really like 5 or so, another 7-8 were readable and some what interesting, and the rest were just plain brutal. The one I liked the least was the chapter about could zombies run a marathon. Seriously?! Zombies? The 5 I really liked though were defiantely worth reading.
February 27, 2019
I do not recommend this book.
To fully like this book the reader must be, or at least experience running for a couple of years at least.
In addition to knowing how is to be a runner, the reader must like philosophy, but not only liked it, understand all of the concepts in the book.
A non-runner should not read it.
A non-philosopher could read it.
To fully like this book the reader must be, or at least experience running for a couple of years at least.
In addition to knowing how is to be a runner, the reader must like philosophy, but not only liked it, understand all of the concepts in the book.
A non-runner should not read it.
A non-philosopher could read it.
August 23, 2020
Running and Philosophy is a collection of essays from various university professors (usually Philosophy professors) pertaining to, well, running and philosophy. The book doesn't delve very deep into one area of philosophy; instead, the chapters or loosely grouped up based on the philosophical ideas they explore. e.g. aesthetics, philosophy of mind, existentialism, virtue ethics, philosophy of religion, and more. I quite enjoyed it as I haven't studied many of these fields, but I feel like I at least have a basic understanding of them now.
To be honest, I feel like a reader of this book needs experience running (or another cardio sport) to get the most out of this book. The essayists are constantly referencing their running experiences in connection with whatever point they're trying to give, and it is so much more meaningful if you can relate to their experience.
One of the big strengths of this book is the massive breadth of experience it showcases. It feels good to hear about how other runners do things and feel, and that inspires me to try out some of the stuff they do as well. Moreover, parts of the book (such as a bit with have an inner music monologue while running) answered questions I had but didn't consciously know of.
To be honest, I feel like a reader of this book needs experience running (or another cardio sport) to get the most out of this book. The essayists are constantly referencing their running experiences in connection with whatever point they're trying to give, and it is so much more meaningful if you can relate to their experience.
One of the big strengths of this book is the massive breadth of experience it showcases. It feels good to hear about how other runners do things and feel, and that inspires me to try out some of the stuff they do as well. Moreover, parts of the book (such as a bit with have an inner music monologue while running) answered questions I had but didn't consciously know of.
March 3, 2020
Etwa die Hälfte der Beiträge sind Übersetzungen aus Austins Sammelband "Running and Philosophy", die andere Originalbeiträge. Während die übersetzten Beiträge meist explizit klassische Philosophen (Aristoteles, Nietzsche, Dewey u.a.) aufgreifen, sind die Originalbeiträge einfach Texte übers Laufen. Im Ergebnis ist das eine sehr heterogene Sammlung, in der ich dann doch viel überblättert habe. Da steht dann eine Kurzeinführung zu Aristoteles über Glückseligkeit (nebenbei: schreckliche Übersetzung) neben einem Bericht über den ersten 10er. Nun ist das Nachdenken über Glück nicht bei Aristoteles stehen geglieben und die Messungenauigkeit von Runtastic ein auch nur bedingt interessantes Thema. Und nun habe ich es geschafft, Aristoteles und Runtastic in einem Satz zu erwähnen! Woohoo!
Aber das Buch ist schön aufgemacht.
Aber das Buch ist schön aufgemacht.
February 14, 2024
Das Laufen aus der Sicht verschiedenener Menschen ( Sportler/ Philosophen/ Journalisten ). Das Buch war an sich ganz interessant, manche Kapitel aber so unfassbar dröge und langatmig geschrieben, dass es mir teilweise doch die Leselust nahm und ich mich durch einige Seiten quälen musste. Der Ansatz das Laufen philosophisch zu erklären ist gar nicht so schlecht gewesen, da es so manchem Nicht Läufer vllt verständlicher macht, warum wir Läufer uns bei Wind und Wetter aus dem Haus bewegen und manch Querelen auf uns nehmen.
September 27, 2024
I’m not sure what to say about these pop culture and philosophy books anymore. So many of them are near misses. This one has some solid essays, but they didn’t speak to me as much as earlier editions in this series have. I’ve had this one sitting around for a couple years and decided to plow through it, and it did indeed require a plow.
November 30, 2025
If you are a runner, you know that we generate hundreds of questions in each run. Some of them get close answers here but not reaching yet. Soul and mind keeps running, forever.
We never reach, still don’t know why we run, still don’t know who is running. Me resisting each time, then goes, comes back as someone else. Did I run? What about pain, do I need pain? Without pain who wants to run?
We never reach, still don’t know why we run, still don’t know who is running. Me resisting each time, then goes, comes back as someone else. Did I run? What about pain, do I need pain? Without pain who wants to run?
August 10, 2018
A book that opens the door of PE philosophy for me.
January 6, 2023
i liked some of the essays
March 26, 2022
Probably too advanced for me, but a lot of chapters were really shallow: Is Running A Religion? Well running shares many characteristics with religion. Conclusion: sort of?
October 18, 2011
Though I have read very few pop culture & philosophy books all the way through, this is one of the best ones I have read. Not only do many of the essays connect to well known philosophers and ideas, but many other essays seem very original in their thesis and their conclusions. The best part about this book, though, is that nearly all of essays are easily relatable as anyone who has ever done even a short mile or 5K race can instantly understand what the author is talking about when they mention something about running. It doesn't hurt that many of the best authors seem to be runners themselves and imbue their essays with their own personal experiences. However, at times the book suffers from what many pop culture & philosophy books suffer from: essays and ideas that are not explained very well and go way over the heads of the readers. One essay in particular started talking about "zombies" without explaining what he was talking about. It took me half of the essay to figure out what he meant. Overall, while this book won't make you a better runner or be as necessary as a good pair of running shoes, but the topics discussed will keep you thinking on those long runs.
April 27, 2012
How great to find a book that covers 2 of my favorite subjects – philosophy and running. If the editor had found a way to weave a historical analysis into the mix, then he’d have created the ultimate trifecta for me.
Enjoying this book probably calls for readers who see the serious and the silly in both running and philosophy. Running, especially long-distance running, requires commitment and discipline. Similarly, trying to discover the true nature of man and his role in the world involves sincere study and thought.
However, even dedicated marathoners may question their sanity when lacing up their shoes on a cold, rainy, miserable morning. And the most earnest thinker knows that it’s possible for me to enjoy something without knowing why I enjoy it.
The essays discus various ways in which the disciplines of running and philosophy are intertwined. Most of the authors are runners and include their personal experiences in their pieces. An understanding of classical western philosophy is helpful, especially with understanding some of the writers’ attempts at humor.
An entertaining read that has left me wondering – what will I be thinking about during my long run tomorrow?
Enjoying this book probably calls for readers who see the serious and the silly in both running and philosophy. Running, especially long-distance running, requires commitment and discipline. Similarly, trying to discover the true nature of man and his role in the world involves sincere study and thought.
However, even dedicated marathoners may question their sanity when lacing up their shoes on a cold, rainy, miserable morning. And the most earnest thinker knows that it’s possible for me to enjoy something without knowing why I enjoy it.
The essays discus various ways in which the disciplines of running and philosophy are intertwined. Most of the authors are runners and include their personal experiences in their pieces. An understanding of classical western philosophy is helpful, especially with understanding some of the writers’ attempts at humor.
An entertaining read that has left me wondering – what will I be thinking about during my long run tomorrow?
July 18, 2013
Something of a curate's egg (good in parts), RUNNING AND PHILOSOPHY attempts to make light of thinking about running at the same time as some of its writers try to think seriously about the act. The book gets more philosophical and less biographical as you work your way through it, although even the most knotty of philosophical arguments are leavened (if that's the word) by the knowing irony that colors quite a bit of writing about running. That this book exists at all, however, is something of a triumph: for it's rare and good to read a book that's not about the mechanics of running and is mercifully low on the inspirational aspects of running, but actually attempts to think about running as an act possessing meaning. I'd recommend it, but don't worry about skipping some chapters.
March 28, 2008
This was a good way to sample some philosophy. I never took a course in philosophy in college. What I know about it I've gotten indirectly through conversation, pop culture and literary reference. This book is a collection of essays in which an aspect of running is paired with a philosopher or a branch of philosophy. As a result you learn some new stuff and you can immediately see how it applies to everyday life. Apparently, there's a lot of books like this with philosophy paired with an array of modern topics.
December 31, 2013
A really fun book for runners. The essays are hit and miss, though. Some are great and really changed the way I view running and philosophy behind exercise in general. Other essays felt like forced undergrad papers on an assigned topic.
June 6, 2015
This book was everything I dreamed it would be, it took two of my most loved thing t in the world, philosophy and running and created a wonderful marriage. I loved every sentence of this book, gave meaning to my running and running to my Philosophy on life.
Read
May 1, 2008A great motivator. I have set new training goals, I have some new and interesting things to contemplate while on my solo runs.
October 3, 2014
Kind of hit and miss but overall good.
January 12, 2011
If you are a runner or a jogger and have a philosophical bent of mind, this book is for you.
January 28, 2011
Definitely an entertaining read, whether you actually run or just like to read about it......
May 22, 2012
This was fantastic! Lots of very different philosophical ideas, from amor fati to dualism vs. materialism (holism).
April 24, 2015
As if you weren't thinking enough when out for a run, this gives even more things to ponder while pounding the pavement.
Read
January 5, 2016Meine Rezension gibt es hier: http://www.ostwestf4le.de/2015/10/24/...
April 22, 2016
Enjoyed it. It is dry, but then it is philosophy.
August 31, 2016
Slightly too academic approach to philosophy to my liking, but in parts an excellent read
December 13, 2010
It was fun but the philosophy was a bit thin. I'd hoped to learn more.
Want to read
April 17, 2012niet in bib mechelen noch zemst
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews