These questions you’re asking are part of an area of philosophy called Philosophy of Sport. My partner writes in this field; specifically about what distinguishes individual sports like climbing, skiing etc. from team sport. How society’s perception of individual sports connect with American attitudes about leisure. (As a professor of both philosophy and outdoor studies (mountaineering), he is still often asked when he’s going to get a “real job”.) I’m not as eloquent as he is in his writings, but he does explore the “good”, “bad”, public anger when someone dies in an outdoor pursuit, the idea of a “worthwhile” and a “worthless” activity, and perceptions of selfishness. I’ve seen Alex’s Banff films as well. He is extraordinary.
