Philosophical thinking on physical literacy

Xiaohua Yuan; Junming Li

doi:10.54254/2753-7102/2025.27265

Advances in Social Behavior ResearchOpen access

Philosophical thinking on physical literacy

Research Article

Open Access

Philosophical thinking on physical literacy

Xiaohua Yuan ^1* Junming Li ²

¹ School of Physical Education, Chizhou University

² School of Arts and Education, Chizhou University

^*Corresponding author: 980078621@qq.com

Published on 24 September 2025

ASBR Vol.16 Issue 8

ISSN (Print): 2753-7110

ISSN (Online): 2753-7102

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Abstract

The concept of “physical literacy,” first raised more than eighty years ago, is now widely recognized and put into practice in Western countries. China has likewise set target requirements for developing physical literacy among young people. Physical literacy refers—relative to an individual’s endowments—to the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding that enable one to maintain bodily vitality across the lifespan. Mind–body monism, existentialism, and embodied phenomenology are the three main philosophical pillars for understanding physical literacy and putting it into practice.

Keywords:

physical literacy, mind–body monism, existentialism, embodied phenomenology

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References

[1]. Whitehead, M. (2010). Physical literacy throughout the life course.Taylor & Francis e-Library.

[2]. Mao, D. (2015). On the transition from dualism to monism.Journal of Jilin Institute of Education, 31(5), 129–130.

[3]. He, J. (2017). Existence, for-itself, and choice: Reflections on existence in Sartre’s existentialist philosophy.Journal of Harbin University, 38(6), 5–8.

[4]. Zhang, Y. (2012). The “descending path” toward “reconciliation”: An analysis of Spinoza’s monism and its transformation of Descartes’ mind-body dualism.Journal of Jiangsu Administration Institute, 63(3), 26–31.

[5]. Merleau-Ponty, M. (1962). Phenomenology of perception.Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.

[6]. Yan, Y. (2016). A study on Merleau-Ponty’s embodied phenomenology.Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press.

References

[1]. Whitehead, M. (2010). Physical literacy throughout the life course.Taylor & Francis e-Library.

[2]. Mao, D. (2015). On the transition from dualism to monism.Journal of Jilin Institute of Education, 31(5), 129–130.

[3]. He, J. (2017). Existence, for-itself, and choice: Reflections on existence in Sartre’s existentialist philosophy.Journal of Harbin University, 38(6), 5–8.

[5]. Merleau-Ponty, M. (1962). Phenomenology of perception.Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.

[6]. Yan, Y. (2016). A study on Merleau-Ponty’s embodied phenomenology.Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press.

Cite this article

Yuan,X.;Li,J. (2025). Philosophical thinking on physical literacy. Advances in Social Behavior Research,16(8),8-13.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Journal: Advances in Social Behavior Research

Volume number: Vol.16

Issue number: Issue 8

ISSN: 2753-7102(Print) / 2753-7110(Online)

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