Abjection in sports: An ethical approach

Abstract

Abstract In her essay Powers of Horror , Julia Kristeva investigates the concept of abjection. Essentially, the term means “the state of being cast off” and according to Kristeva it is a feeling of disgust, filth and humiliation, things we tend to reject for becoming subjects and protecting identities. But as I will argue here, by rejecting athletes who dissolve the culturally strict boundaries in sports, the sports organizations become abjects themselves, and consequently evade moral responsibility.