Philosopher sees baseball as teaching the game of life

Distinguished Teaching Professor Raymond Angelo Belliotti of the State University of New York at Fredonia is the author of “The Philosophy of Baseball: How to Play the Game of Life,” a philosophical look at the National Pastime and the lessons it offers for everyday living. The book was released by Edwin Mellen Press on Tuesday, March 7.

“Anyone with a love for baseball should be drawn to this book, and should develop an interest in philosophy as well from reading it,” noted Alan H. Goldman, Kenan Professor of Philosophy at The College of William and Mary. “The advice he gives to players and coaches will be invaluable in helping to meet the challenges of baseball. Meeting them might equip players to do so in life outside baseball as well – and the philosophy summarized helps us to understand why.”

In “The Philosophy of Baseball: How to Play the Game of Life,” Dr. Belliotti explains and defends nine virtues of playing and eleven commandments of coaching baseball. He connects these strategies to the ways in which individuals can enjoy the best of life.

Dr. Belliotti draws on a lineup of classical and contemporary philosophers such as Camus, Epictetus, Gramsci, Machiavelli, Marx, Nietzsche, Nozick, Plato, Sartre, Schopenhauer, Socrates and Unger to help illustrate his work.

“Sports historians, sociologists, and philosophers will find this book intriguing. His analysis of baseball and character-building should be required reading,” commented Adolph Grundman, a professor of history at Metro State College in Denver. “Belliotti’s energetic prose style matches his nimble mind. The unique part of this book is how Belliotti bounces back and forth between the values that sports reward and philosophers who wrestle with the same values. His links between mental toughness, the myth of Sisyphus and Albert Camus are brilliant…Belliotti has hit a home run.”

Currently the chairman of the Department of Philosophy, Dr. Belliotti taught at SUNY Fredonia since 1984. He is the author of six other books: “Justifying Law (1992),” “Good Sex (1993),” “Seeking Identity (1995),” “Stalking Nietzsche (1998),” “What is the Meaning of Human Life? (2001),” and “Happiness is Overrated (2004).” Dr. Belliotti has also published 60 articles and 30 reviews that have appeared in publications throughout the world.

Respected throughout the state university system, Dr. Belliotti has been the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the William T. Hagan Young Scholar/Artist Award, the Kasling Lecture Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship and the SUNY Foundation Research and Scholarship Recognition Award.

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