1. Nature and Significance of Play as a Cultural Phenomenon
Play is significant; Is always present in culture. The play-concept is
irreducible, involves "fun." Its characteristics include its freedom, it's
voluntary; it lies outside of "real life" or the ordinary; it is secluded
and limited in time and place. Is both a contest for something and a
representation of something. We access reality by playing with
it. Thus religion and ritual are considered part of play.
2. The Play-Concept as Expressed in Language.
Addresses question of how the absence or presence of a word for
"play" is
related to place of play in a culture. Also, problem of whether play needs
to be conscious (it doesn't (31)). Contests are always play. Historically,
the play-concept is attenuating [there's a strong intra-war lurking
throughout this work--civilization's going to shit]. For the
Anglo-Saxons: Play is battle, and vice versa. Special applications of the
word play, e.g., music and sex.
3. Play and Contest as Civilizing Functions.
Culture arises from play, "is played from the very beginning
(46)." Boundaries of play/cheating/seriousness. Play and contest as the
root of Chinese civilization, of potlatch, other ceremonies of
contest. Play as yielding beauty. Our notions of virtue, honor, etc. rise
out of play. Discussion of rulers at play.
4. Play and Law.
Wherein courtroom proceedings in varied cultures are shown analogous
to
games.
5. Play and War.
War contains ludic element when properly agonistic, when contestants
enter
as equals on field of battle. Includes duels, jousting, etc. This extends
to international relations: refusing to acknowledge international law goes
against the spirit of play, is thus uncivilized.
6. Playing and Knowing.
Competition for superiority is always play, this includes contests of
knowing. Philosophy is born in play (in the Vedas).
7. Play and Poetry.
Poiesis is a play function--is other-worldly. Much traditional poetry
practice (e.g., Inuit) is agonistic.
8. The Elements of Mythopoiesis.
We deal with the objective world by personifying things. The act of
personification is mental play. Poetry and sacred personification
(attributing god-like elements to things) originate in play--but
apparently lose their play quality. In poetry, play only remains at the
surface in the realm of drama.
9. Play forms in Philosophy
Sophism as play, contest with rivals in public.
10. Play forms in Art
Music is always in the play-sphere--lies outside the reason of
everyday
life. Music always has a sense of competition. Has moved from having
social function to having a deep personal/emotive function. Similar,
greater in dance. Harder to see in plastic arts: "where there's no visible
action there can be no play." Can't really say that creation of plastic
arts is play, beyond idle doodling. The reception of art is different,
e.g., pieces are "put in play" in art competition, or the demonstration of
master pieces.
11. Western Civilization Sub Specie Ludi
History--Rome out of Greece, permeated by play. Ditto Middle Ages,
Rennaissance, etc. Play is all over culture, produces many forms of social
life [this is essentially a structural-functionalist account--all these
various bits of society that include play are structures, have a play
function in addition to other functions.] More on music--its gameness is
evident in its cultural boundedness--it's only appreciated by those who
know the rules. Nearer to our times it's harder to assess what's play and
what's not. A dig at Marx as missing out on role of culture. 19th Century
thought/philosophy as lacking in play, instead dominated by technology.
12. The Play-Element in Contemporary Civilization
Sports as less play-like since 1875--now are professional,
serious. But at
the same time other realms, like trade and production, become more
play-like. He's equivocal on play in arts and sciences. Play can be used
to hide social and political machinations. "Puerilism"~= Play--there's a
lot of this puerilism going around. Play, for example the Boy Scouts(!),
is
culture creating. "Play is on the wane." Play in international
relations: ‡Spoil sports can ruin civilization.