Running in a myth

Abstract

This article solves the tasks of determining the spheres of use and functions of running in primitive societies based on the sources of mythological nature, associated with the culture of Ancient Greece, American Indians, Slavs, peoples of the Far North, Roman tribes, Celts, peoples of Ancient Egypt, Jews, peoples of Oceania, and others. The indicated problematic gives a broader outlook upon the spiritual grounds for developing physical abilities in the past, as well as to describes the stages and specificity of current transformation of the socially significant practices related to running. The article employs the methods of analysis, comparison and synthesis; the area of application of the acquired results is the philosophical anthropology and philosophy of sports. The novelty of this research consists in determination of peculiarities of the functionality of running in a myth in three dimensions: cosmological (running is considered in etiological and intermediary between the macro-and microcosm functions), biological (as a manifestation of physical health and a unique for the mammals way of hunting based on endurance run), and social (running as a means to raise and maintain social status, finding a partner for marriage, element of ceremonialism, initiation, etc.).