simon Flashcards
anabolic steroids
i.e. synthetic T, have been used for literally forever
inc musc growth and tissue repair
health risks i.e. hormones, personality, liver
focuses on PEDs used beyond recommended amounts
since debate abt actual effects, this argument assumes they inc perf and also have health risks
regulative rules
govern legal play
say penalties imposed on rule-breaking
auxillary rules
govern eligibility
weight, age, sex, competitive standing, use of PEDs
criteria for concerning drugs
- believe that taking it will inc perf
- sig health risks
- not prescribed/for medical use
i.e. caffeine inc perf, but not PED
blood doping is a gray area, bcs not necessarily harmful
harm principle
individuals can do whatever as long as their actions do not harm OTHERS
prevents paternalistic interference
harm to USER argument
some say bcs of health risks, should ban PEDs
- conflicts w harm principle, not hurting others
- external interference is unjustified
exceptions to the harm to USER argument
- lack of informed consent
- harm to others i.e. peer pressure
lack of informed consent
there’s pressure w/in sport bcs career depends on performance
don’t take PEDs –> lose sponsors
counterargument bcs no one is forced to be pro, STILL HAVE FREE WILL
why are other pressure acceptable i.e. extreme training and dieting
harm to others
are others forced to take PEDs?
- feel forced if everyone else takes them
counter that sport is high pressure environ, athletes are not forced to follow e/o’s regimes
protection of the young
role models, high school athletes may take PEDs
other training practices can harm kids too i.e. excessive weights
risk is not equal to harm
- parents/coaches/teachers should take some responsibility
respect for persons
key element to kantian morality
2nd categorical imperative to not use others
athletic competition = respecting others in a mutual quest towards excellence
are PEDs against the spirit of sport
core is the mutual quest for excellence, to push e/o w/in rules of the game
sports are NOT zero sum, but challenging e/o
victory is based on effort, skill, talents
- PEDs shift focus to the body’s response to drugs
PEDs shifting to body’s response
deliberate effort vs body’s resp
counter that athletes still train the best athletes will still win if EVERYONE uses PEDs
- genetic factors –> not same reponse
some athletes have natural genetic advantages…PEDs = leveling playfield?
moral significance of sport
sport is not just abt breaking records, but testing human ability
competition loses moral sig if PEDs are dominant….reduces the human element of sport
- should be banned bcs violate the ethos of sport
