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oai:figshare.com:article/34037856 2026-10-01T02:44:48Z category_36752 portal_771 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Exercise and Well-Being: an Expansion of the Perceivable World Nina Huria (25150929) Phenomenology Phenomenology Exercise Well-being Merleau-Ponty School: School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations 500310 Phenomenology Degree Discipline: Philosophy Degree Name: Master of Arts Degree Level: Masters <p><strong>Humans are embodied, situated, creatures who perceive the world by way of active engagement in it. Our necessarily embodied nature defines and gives meaning to the structures of the world for us. This thesis argues that the expansion of possibilities for engagement with and in the world, and self-awareness are two goods that contribute positively to one’s well-being. Because humans are also rational and dynamic creatures, we can choose to change ourselves to further ourselves towards our desired ends. Exercise can provide us with both self-awareness, and an expansion of possibilities. Exercise, I argue, is unique in its ability to expand our physical possibilities, which, on a base level, dictate the large majority of other kinds of possibilities. This thesis makes a case that we should look beyond the physiological benefits of exercise (such as improved physical health and function). Using phenomenological analysis, I will explore the lived benefits of exercise, which present exercise as having value on a basic perceptual level beyond improvement of one’s physiology. Because we are embodied beings who perceive the world in how we physically interact with it, exercise allows us to expand our perceivable world. The lived benefits of exercise allow one to better understand and deal with the world, fulfil more desires, and decrease obstacles between intention and action. This thesis provides a set of reasons for us not to overlook our physical states when considering theories of well-being. I do not subscribe to, nor do I commit my thesis to, any particular theory of well-being.</strong></p><p>Instead, I propose that exercise is characteristically good for well-being because it allows us to increase our possibilities for interaction with the world and self-awareness, which allow us further possibilities to increase our well-being.</p> 2026-10-01T00:00:00Z Text Thesis 10.26686/ycj8-jv5g https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Exercise_and_Well-Being_an_Expansion_of_the_Perceivable_World/34037856 Author Retains Copyright