The Ethics of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports

It may be a popular opinion that sports and ethics are incongruent or contradictory, but contrary to this view, ethical principles in sports are integral for its protection and those involved in the practice. Because of this invalid popular opinion, a new conversation on ethical principles and issues in sports becomes warranted. This new conversation starts here with a philosophical investigation that extends into the areas of epistemology and autonomy in a quest to address ethical issues associated with the use of performance-enhancement drugs (doping) in sports, fair play, equity, and responsibility. Readers are introduced to a new theoretical approach to addressing ethical issues in sports based on arguments advanced on responsible freedom, perspectival knowledge, and self-duty that can be utilized by sports stakeholders (athletes, team doctors, fans, sporting organizations, coaches, etc.) as they strive for success and minimize unfair practices. Thus, important questions are posed concerning respect for others, respect for rules, respect for the game, and respect for self. Also, an investigation into ethics and doping is conducted to unravel whether doping athletes impose undue limitations on their freedom. Thus, the idea of absolute freedom is questioned, and "privileged freedom" is investigated.