Philosophical Reflections on Physical Strength: Does a Strong Mind Need a Strong Body? by M. Andrew Holowchak

Philosophical Reflections on Physical Strength: Does a Strong Mind Need a Strong Body? Reviews

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  Oliver Bateman

  Great concept, but only a handful of the essays relate to the title of this collection. Kudos to Holowchak, a fellow U-Pitt alum and fellow powerlifter, for shepherding this collection into print. I don't know why they opted for the Edwin Mellen Press, particularly given Terry Todd's involvement and the access Holowchak was granted to images from the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sport at the University of Texas - Austin. Nevertheless, there are a few standout papers in here: Heather Reid's piece on Heracles, Angela Schneider and Michael Lavin on PEDs (particularly Lavin; that thing is a must-read for anyone interested in the topic), Holowchak on "what it really takes to be the World's Strongest Man," and a too-brief essay on the aesthetics of weightlifting from John Bender. The interviews with strongman Zydrunas Savickas and strongwoman Jill Mills are revealing, although the Mills interview benefits from the fact that it's referenced throughout Melina Bell's article on traditionally "feminine" characteristics and female bodybuilding (which also draws heavily on Sandra Bem's The Lenses of Gender: Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality).