Is there a "healthy" competition?

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sea_krait

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This has been haunting me for a while now. From a strictly Catholic perspective, is competition just a prideful act? I’m not talking about “necessary” competition such as the mechanics of capitalism, but rather I’m referring to competition for fun.

For example, I really enjoy fishing, and I’ve been longing for summer so that I can try to catch a record fish. But I can’t help but be distressed by what seems to be the driving force behind this wish of mine: pride. All I’d be doing (aside from enjoying nature) is trying to be better than someone else. I can’t help but think that the saints wouldn’t subscribe to these sorts of wishes.

But I like the competitive aspect. :{

Is there some sort of better motivation for competition that I haven’t yet considered, some sort of healthier manner I can think about all this, some way I can incorporate love or kindness perhaps – a kinder motivation for competition?

:}
 
sea_krait said:
This has been haunting me for a while now. From a strictly Catholic perspective, is competition just a prideful act? I’m not talking about “necessary” competition such as the mechanics of capitalism, but rather I’m referring to competition for fun.

For example, I really enjoy fishing, and I’ve been longing for summer so that I can try to catch a record fish. But I can’t help but be distressed by what seems to be the driving force behind this wish of mine: pride. All I’d be doing (aside from enjoying nature) is trying to be better than someone else. I can’t help but think that the saints wouldn’t subscribe to these sorts of wishes.

But I like the competitive aspect. :{

Is there some sort of better motivation for competition that I haven’t yet considered, some sort of healthier manner I can think about all this, some way I can incorporate love or kindness perhaps – a kinder motivation for competition?

:}
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This is a good question. I have often contimplated it myself. Along with sports, where we gain our glory from beatin gthe “other guy”, now we have reality TV which is all about competition. American Idol, DWTS and much much more.

Recall though that Paul speaks of and compares our perserverance with that of the athlete. Which signifies competion in and of itself is not an evil. However, the reason why is not apparrent to me.

Others?
 
Competition in sports has led to vast improvements in fishing equipment technology and in running shoe technology and in golf club technology.

And, competition in sports has led to vast improvements in medicine, specifically in orthopedics and in computerized analysis and motion studies.

It is all interlinked.

We have better survival techniques owing to constant striving to do better and to find better ways of doing things and making product improvements.

So, if they made a lighter and stronger fuel tank for a space shuttle with carbon fiber technology, then why not use carbon fiber for golf clubs?

If somebody comes up with a better sports parachuting design that allows higher sports performance, why not adapt that innovation for emergency bailout or military paratrooping improvements?

If someone comes up with a more accurate rifle system for sports shooting, why not adopt that technology for hunting for food or for the military?

It is all interlinked.

Would you want to go back to the days of the original 386 computer chip?

Or do you prefer the improvements over the years as companies and teams and individuals strove to improve computer technology … both hardware and software.

Without the benefits from competition, there would be no incentive to improve anything.

In fact, if you already have “a computer”, then why would you want to even CONSIDER trying to make an improvement? Without competition, there would be no improvements.

Read up on the competition between Edison and Tesla. Big time competition. Big time improvements for society.

Competition has resulted in improvements in company performance, product features, financial innovations and many other areas.

Where we have suffered it is because competition has been stifled, usually by government. If free and open competition had existed, then the current economic collapse would not have happened … it was brought on by Congress’ protection and defense of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the housing finance market. Congress allowed officers to make fraudulent statements and there was neither law enforcement audits nor competition allowed to expose the perjured statements.
 
And consider this:

If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day.

If you teach a man to fish, he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
 
Mijoy2 said:
This is a good question. I have often contimplated it myself. Along with sports, where we gain our glory from beatin gthe “other guy”, now we have reality TV which is all about competition. American Idol, DWTS and much much more.

Recall though that Paul speaks of and compares our perserverance with that of the athlete. Which signifies competion in and of itself is not an evil. However, the reason why is not apparrent to me.

Others?
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I have played Professional Competitive Snooker. Is it a SIN to be or want to be world Champion? Its to do with the world. I think Paul was referring to the discipline you need to be the best you can to run the spiritual race. I heard some protestant christian say competition has to Go when it comes to denying self. They also say all interests inclinations preferences etc has to be denied. Deny yourself to be my disciple said Jesus
If you think about things all types of businesses are in compertition with each other to get customers. To be monastic and spiritual its poverty and detachment from the world.:eek:
I have heard the Pope giving a positive message to the children in a school about sport and how good it was for them.
 
sea_krait said:
This has been haunting me for a while now. From a strictly Catholic perspective, is competition just a prideful act? I’m not talking about “necessary” competition such as the mechanics of capitalism, but rather I’m referring to competition for fun.

For example, I really enjoy fishing, and I’ve been longing for summer so that I can try to catch a record fish. But I can’t help but be distressed by what seems to be the driving force behind this wish of mine: pride. All I’d be doing (aside from enjoying nature) is trying to be better than someone else. I can’t help but think that the saints wouldn’t subscribe to these sorts of wishes.

But I like the competitive aspect. :{

Is there some sort of better motivation for competition that I haven’t yet considered, some sort of healthier manner I can think about all this, some way I can incorporate love or kindness perhaps – a kinder motivation for competition?

:}
Click to expand...
A competition is a struggle for superiority or victory. If it is due to jealousy or envy, then it would be a problem. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that envy is viewing another’s good with grief. (Zeal is different.)

Summa Theologica Question 36, Article 1:
“Secondly, another’s good may be reckoned as being one’s own evil, in so far as it conduces to the lessening of one’s own good name or excellence. It is in this way that envy grieves for another’s good: and consequently men are envious of those goods in which a good name consists, and about which men like to be honored and esteemed, as the Philosopher remarks (Rhet. ii, 10).”

Also that anger is vengence arising from the perceived excellence of another that you desire for youself.
 
The more positive thought I had - I was giving this more thought. Sports competition (some athletic activity, let’s say…tennis, for example), when embraced humbly by the “winner” and with dignity, grace and good-sportsmanlike conduct by the “loser” I suppose can only be a good thing in terms of the “loser” learning from his defeat and bettering him/herself foer the next contest.

The more negative thought I had - Why play tennis in the first place? Where is the “good” that comes from tennis (let alone boxing which I was going to say but that opens a new can of worms). :confused: Just asking BTW, I am certainly not adverse to competition, I have played sports, ran in competition, lifted weights, fished, even boxed etc etc. Maybe the answer is simply, cuz it’s fun!🙂
 
Monte_RCMS said:
And consider this:

If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day.

If you teach a man to fish, he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
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:rotfl:
Mijoy2 said:
The more positive thought I had - I was giving this more thought. Sports competition (some athletic activity, let’s say…tennis, for example), when embraced humbly by the “winner” and with dignity, grace and good-sportsmanlike conduct by the “loser” I suppose can only be a good thing in terms of the “loser” learning from his defeat and bettering him/herself foer the next contest.

The more negative thought I had - Why play tennis in the first place? Where is the “good” that comes from tennis (let alone boxing which I was going to say but that opens a new can of worms). :confused: Just asking BTW, I am certainly not adverse to competition, I have played sports, ran in competition, lifted weights, fished, even boxed etc etc. Maybe the answer is simply, cuz it’s fun!🙂
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Absolutely. There is nothing wrong with competition when it is done in the spirit of charity. I won this game. So what? You win the next game. So what? We go home happy that we got some exercise and enjoyed each other’s company. That is healthy.
 
Newbie2 said:
:rotfl:

Absolutely. There is nothing wrong with competition when it is done in the spirit of charity. I won this game. So what? You win the next game. So what? We go home happy that we got some exercise and enjoyed each other’s company. That is healthy.
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It is Important to play in the Right Spirit. When you Win don’t be Arrogant. Also when you Lose don’t be a bad loser being upset or Antagonistic.👍
 
sea_krait said:
This has been haunting me for a while now. From a strictly Catholic perspective, is competition just a prideful act? I’m not talking about “necessary” competition such as the mechanics of capitalism, but rather I’m referring to competition for fun.

For example, I really enjoy fishing, and I’ve been longing for summer so that I can try to catch a record fish. But I can’t help but be distressed by what seems to be the driving force behind this wish of mine: pride. All I’d be doing (aside from enjoying nature) is trying to be better than someone else. I can’t help but think that the saints wouldn’t subscribe to these sorts of wishes.

But I like the competitive aspect. :{

Is there some sort of better motivation for competition that I haven’t yet considered, some sort of healthier manner I can think about all this, some way I can incorporate love or kindness perhaps – a kinder motivation for competition?

:}
Click to expand...
It all comes down to intent. If you compete to humiliate your opponent thats much different then competing to rate your skills against others or to improve your skills. Seeking competition so you can blow your own horn and show off how good you are is much different then competing becuase you realize God gave you a gift and you wish to glorify Him. As to your fish examples pursuing the “record” fish is fine but once you catch it are you willing to throw it back? If the goal is really only to catch the “record” fish then you’ve done it. Who needs to know it?
 
There’s nothing wrong with doing your best. If competition is what drives you to do that, then so be it. Just be sure to give all the glory to God and never look down on those who have “beaten” in competition.

In a competition of two, for example, one will excel over the other. The better half should always encourage the weaker half to excel over him (or her). Ideally, both always working to improve the other’s skill.
 
I would think there’s nothing wrong with simple competition, trying to do well and enjoying the process. As long as you have respect for the other competitors and play fairly, and thank God because He is the one who gave you the talent, it doesn’t sound like there’s a problem.
 
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