Huizinga J.H. Homo Ludens. Study of the Play Element in Culture

London, Boston, Henley: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1980. — 226 p. — ISBN: 0-7100-0578-4.In "Homo Ludens," the classic evaluation of play that has become a "must-read" for those in game design, Dutch philosopher Johan Huizinga defines play as the central activity in flourishing societies. Like civilization, play requires structure and participants willing to create within limits. Starting with Plato, Huizinga traces the contribution of "Homo Ludens," or "Man the player" through Medieval Times, the Renaissance, and into our modern civilization. Huizinga defines play against a rich theoretical background, using cross-cultural examples from the humanities, business, and politics. "Homo Ludens" defines play for generations to come.Nature and Significance of Play as a Cultural Phenomenon.
The Play-Concept as Expressed in Language.
Play and Contest as Civilizing Functions.
Play and Law.
Play and War.
Playing and Knowing.
Play and Poetry.
The Elements of Mythopoiesis.
Play-Forms in Philosophy.
Play-Forms in Art.
Western Civilization Sub Specie Ludi.
The Play-Element in Contemporary Civilization.This edition (1949) is prepared from the German edition published in Switzerland, 1944, and also from the author's own English translation of the text, which he made shortly before his death. Comparison of the two texts shows a number of discrepancies and a marked difference in style; the translator hopes that the following version has achieved a reasonable synthesis. Reprinted in 1980.