Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport - Essay Example

An Ethical Analysis of the Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport Introduction Ethics and sports are directly related with one-another. This is mainly due to the fact that; fairness, respect, responsibility and safety are the prime pillars of success of any sports. Sports are extremely popular in our world in order to maintain the physique of the individual, fit, healthy and free from all sorts of disorders. However, the definition of sports has entirely changed in this age (Wilson, 2001). Now a day maximum extent of the professional players is interested in enhancing their performance so as to improve their image and reputation in the entire globe. Other than this, the use of performance enhancement drugs also increased in sports mainly to reduce psychological dependency, stress and lack of confidence. As a result, the use of pharmacological drugs, hormones, anabolic steroids came into existence. Due to the presence of varied types of steroid and anabolic steroids, the performance and strength of the professional players increased but it hindered the qualities of fair play. Moreover, introduction of such type of performance enhancing drugs also reduced the features and natural qualities of athletes. Therefore due to the causes the ethical framework of sports changed from impartiality and objectivity to partiality and biasness. This paper mainly tries to highlight the issue, that whether the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports is ethical or not. In order to specify this concept, varied types of ethical theories are used like utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, theory of justice, rights, the challenge of normative ethical relativism. Discussion Why do athletes take drugs? In this modern age, maximum extent of the athletes consumes narcotic or anabolic drugs mainly for the below mentioned causes: Dissatisfaction with performance and progress- in this age, the rate of use of anabolic drugs and steroids has increased in order to reduce the rate of dissatisfaction over his or her performance and progress. By doing so, the level of performance of the athletes increases resulting in amplification of their activities or actions. Due to which, the popularity and equity of the athlete as well as the nation also enhances to a significant extent as compared to many other nations. Psychological dependency: numerous athletes intake varied types of anabolic drugs or steroids due to psychological dependency. As a result, the inner strength and morale of the athletes reduces that declines the level of performance to a considerable extent. Wanting to attain a renowned position: in order to attain a renowned position just like numerous other experienced athletes, maximum extent of the new comers takes help of anabolic drugs or steroids in very low age groups. Need to win at any cost: in order to fulfil the desire to win at any cost, maximum extent of the athlete’s intake steroids or drugs. As a result, such type of success, surely offers significant mental stability and pride, but reduces the natural strength or capability of the individual (Wilson, 2001). Desire to attain huge financial rewards: in order to attain huge financial rewards, the athletes of this age intake varied types of performance enhancement drugs. Thus, it might be clearly stated that intake of these drugs is known as doping and it’s mainly unethical or illegal in most of the domestic and international sports organizations. The same is explored and analysed with the help of various ethical theories mentioned below: Analysis Utilitarianism theory Exploration of the debate on the ethicality of using performance enhancing drugs in sports from perspective of utilitarianism Utilitarianism is one of the popular theories of normative ethics and the rule states that, if the consequence of any action offers happiness then it is morally good or great. However, if the consequence of the action offers negative impacts then it may not be performed with a moral reason. This means; each and every action need to be performed with the desire of moral interest and total happiness. Only then, the deed might be considered as an action of intention and motive. On the other hand, as per the act of utilitarianism, all sorts of right actions would surely make the individual more happy and pleased. However, the action would be right and ethical, only if it is performed as per the rules and regulations. Otherwise, it may not offer positive and ethical results that may offer joyful feeling within the hearts of the individual. Similarly, the utilisation of varied types of drugs in sports to improve the level of performance is considered as a wrong or unethical conduct. This is because; the athlete or the individual performs such type of deeds or actions only after knowing its consequences such as misleading charges, unethical behaviours, unhappiness, mental harassments, stress, tensions etc (Waddington & Smith, 2013). Inspite of knowing its consequences, maximum extent of the individual or athletes consumes the performance enhancing drugs for their own shake. This means; they intake varied types of steroids or anabolic drugs in order to amplify their performance that may improve their reputation and distinctiveness in the market among many other rival contenders. By doing so, the athletes might very easily compete with the senior players that may amplify their chances or intensity of achieving a huge amount of financial rewards. However, such type of rewards or reputation is uncertain or present for a very limited time span. Due to which, the governance or authorities of the sports also do not prefer the above mentioned actions and they always try to avoid such type of miss-conducts (Waddington & Smith, 2009). Therefore, it’s better to attain reputation or rewards by offering best performances through natural capabilities or features. Only then, it might enhance the pride or position of the individual or athlete in the country or nation among others. However, most of the player’s are not clearly well-versed with the definitions of ethical or non-ethical judgements, due to which, all these sorts of conducts take place. Other than this, as some of the individual or players do not prefer to know, the definitions of ethical decision-making so, they believe that the actions that present rewards are surely right or ethical deeds. Apart from this, there are huge extents of players or individual, who try to stick to their actions, inspite of right or wrong, so as to attain a distinctive image. The beliefs of these players or individual are extremely hard to change and so the above mentioned actions are increasing in this age. In addition, utilitarianism theory is quite different from the popular cost-benefit analysis used at the time of business dealings. As per cost-benefit analysis, both cost and benefits are evaluated after a specific period of time (Stripp, 2009). By doing so, the management or entrepreneur might easily understand, the weight age of the two parameters and then decisions are taken. However, in case of utilitarianism, in order to attain short term happiness or delight for own-self, varied types of external factors are used such as anabolic drugs. This means that, in spite of knowing of all its negative effects, the athletes of this age consume these drugs effectively. But if the monetary amount is significantly high in cost-benefit analysis as compared to benefit, then such type of deals are not at all entertained by the business entrepreneurs (Wehane & Singer, 1999). This means, if the outcomes presented by any specific action are not ethically right then, it may be supported by the individual or athletes as it are totally against virtue ethics. Kantian Deontology Theory Exploration of the debate on the ethicality of using performance enhancing drugs in sports from perspective of Kantian Deontology As per the theory of Immanuel Kant, it is not the consequence of an action that determines the inner morale or desire of an individual. This is because; the consequence of the action may be due to varied types of situation or intentions to harm any other individual. Therefore, on the basis of the consequence of any actions, the motive of any individual may not be determined effectively (Loland & et.al. 2006). Apart from this, the consequences of any activity might become accurate only if it is performed with actual rules and regulations. So, on the basis of the outcomes, the inner desire of the individual might not be analysed. Due to these facts, the deontological ethics is entirely opposite to virtue ethics. This means that deontological ethics believes that consequence is entirely dependent over reason or facts and not the motives of the individual. In addition, as per the ethics concern and ethics values, consequence may not become the prime element, on the basis of which, judgement might be made. This is because; situation might be the result of any meaning or purpose or due to unethical rules and regulations. As a result of which, the outcome might lead to unethical results or outcomes that may not be used as a tool for judgement. Thus, from the above mentioned points, it might be clearly depicted that the outcome of an action may be used as a source that might turn down the respect of an autonomous being or individual from the heart of another. Similarly, the outcomes of the athletes after consuming the performance enhancing drugs may not determine his or her inner motives (Jones & Daly, 1992). This is because; such type of decisions may also be taken due to extreme pressure from the coach or other experienced players. Not only this, such type of decisions of taking performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic drugs or steroids etc might occur due to excess mental dissatisfaction or stress factors (Jones & Daly, 1992). Therefore, as per the theory of Kant, it might be clearly depicted that the consequence of activity is entirely dependent over the situations or not on internal motives or desires. Hence, the governance of sports also admits the fact presented by the theory of Immanuel Kant that the consequence might be due to varied situational effects. So, the emotions or feelings of an individual may not be analysed through actions (Hoffman, 2013). Rawls theory of Justice Exploration of the debate on the ethicality of using performance enhancing drugs in sports from perspective of Rawls’ theory of distributive justice As per Rawls’ theory of distributive justice varied types of problems with the help of laws, policies and regulations. This means that the conduct or human behaviour always changes with the societal rules, opportunities and welfare activities. Other than this, this theory also describes that the individual of the globe might attain all sorts of facilities in equal way and so it is also considered as the first theory of justice (Tolleneer & et.al. 2012). Only then, it may not force an individual to perform any sort of negative dealings or actions. Other than this, as per the second principle, the social and economic inequalities need to be designed in such a way so that it offers effective results to the un-advantaged individual of the society. Then, all the individual of the society might attain equal opportunities that may improve their positions and image in the society just as the other individual. Thus, as per the ethics concern and ethics values, equal opportunities and chances need to be offered to all the individual of the society so as to maintain equal balance among them. Only then, the un-advantaged individual of the society might also attain the similar benefits as the powerful individual of the society. Similarly, the intake of performance enhancement drugs by athletes is mainly due to impartial attainment of the opportunities or facilities of the society. Due to which, a sense of impartiality arises within the minds of the individual and leads him or her towards varied types of negative deals such as intake of anabolic drugs or steroids. Hence, it might be clearly stated that opportunity acts in both positive and negative way (Kretchmar, 2005). In some cases, it helps an individual to increase the performance thereby amplifying its productivity and prosperity. On the other hand, due to impartial opportunity, the individual gets attracted towards varied types of negative conducts. Due to which, as per the Rawls’ theory of distributive justice, societal presentation or contribution is also extremely essential to accomplish, opportunities in equal essence. However, due to impartial attainment of opportunities, varied types of conflicts or clashes arises that may be resolved only with the help of freedom of speech. Such type of speech helps an individual from varied types of negative dealing or conducts. Therefore, in case, an athlete is also deprived from the available opportunities, then he or she might raise his voice against that and get rid from the negative impacts (Dimeo, 2013). Theory of rights Exploration of the debate on the ethicality of using performance enhancing drugs in sports from perspective of theory of rights As per the theory of rights, legal and natural rights play an important role in an individual life. These rights are democratic in nature and not dependent over laws, customs and regulations (Nauright & Parrish, 2012). Due to which, each and every individual of any country or nation is entitled to all these natural and legal rights such as life, liberty and estate. This means, all the individual of the country might live in a liberal way, until it affects the feelings or emotions of others. Moreover, the prime difference between positive and negative right is that, a positive right is a right that is democratically by own right and the negative right is that that protects me from any sort of difficulties. Similarly, intake of performance enhancement drugs is an activity that may hinder the feelings and beliefs of many other rival players or contestants, but it might prove effective for me. However, such type of conducts or activities is entirely against the theory of rights. Due to which, such type of activities need to be stopped entirely in order to retain the emotions and morals of many other rival players or athletes within a sport (Lumpkin & et.al. 2011). Exploration of the debate on the ethicality of using performance enhancing drugs in sports from perspective of normative ethical relativism Normative ethical relativism states that, each and every individual attains a specific power or morale to judge whether an action or activity is right or wrong. On that basis, the individual might perform that activity or reject that activity. However, in maximum cases, the importance of inner morale or belief is rejected in order to achieve some financial or non-financial rewards (Smith, 2010). Due to which varied types of wrong deeds or actions take place resulting in reduction of the emotions or feelings of other individual. Similarly, in order to attain reputation or financial rewards, the athlete’s intake varied types of performance enhancement drugs. In spite of knowing the negative effects of consumption of performance enhancing drugs, maximum extent of the athletes use it Connor, n.d.). Due to which, it hinders the ethical aspects of the individual thereby hindering its growth and reputation. Conclusion Conclusively, it might be stated that the consumption of performance enhancement drugs by athletes is entirely dependent over their own decision and morals. In spite of its negative effects, it is used by the athletes, in order to attain various financial or non-financial rewards. Due to which, the demand of various performance enhancing drugs increased in this age that amplified numerous crimes and conflicts that hindered the scope of growth and success of athletes. Moreover, due to the intake of varied types of performance enhancing drugs, the morale and performance of numerous capable candidates declined that increased their de-motivation and dissatisfaction. As a result, the image and demand of numerous athletes reduced that also declined the reputation of various countries or nations as well. 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Athletic Enhancement, Human Nature and Ethics: Threats and Opportunities of of Doping Technologies. London: Sage. Read More