Physical Education, vocational training and curricular perspectives: Between established neoliberal perspectives and advances in the neurosciences Entre perspectivas Neoliberales establecidas y los avances de las Neurociencias

Abstract

According to many specialists and in light of the situation in practice, the public education system has been in crisis for quite some time. Within this context, school Physical Education and professional training in the discipline have not been spared. This crisis is multi-causal, that is, it involves theoretical, epistemological, and, above all, political issues. This article addresses this issue, focusing specifically on the discipline and examining what may be considered the main reasons for this. A naturalistic and essentialist epistemology underlies all the arguments of Physical Education, which has contributed significantly to the current situation. Education has been confused with teaching, the object of study has been lost sight of, and practices have been established that operate as mechanisms of capitalist and neoliberal power, giving rise to increasing difficulties and inequalities. This article seeks to explain this situation by examining in greater depth the most significant problems it presents.