It's all in the game

This thesis investigates the moral value of physical education, which is currently overlooked by scholars and politicians. It argues, by means of the educational theories of Plato, Locke, Rousseau and Wood, that the moral benefits are situated in two different categories. Physical education can contribute to the internal development of the moral capability of children as well as to a socially desirable morality of citizenship. Furthermore, it will argue that the inclusion of competitive sports is a necessary condition only for the latter category. Finally, this thesis will advise to extend Bailey’s framework with a category of moral development and to the Dutch government to use physical education as a means to advance the level of citizenship.