Homo Ludens. An Essay on the Definition of the Play Element in Culture
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Johan Huizinga (1872-1945) was a Dutch historian and cultural theorist with a worldwide reputation, and a professor at Leiden University. Among his most famous works, constantly reprinted around the world, are the historical treatise 'The Autumn of the Middle Ages', the biography 'Erasmus', as well as the cultural essays 'The Shadows of Tomorrow' and 'The Waning of the Middle Ages'.
Homo Ludens ('Man the Player', 1938) is a fundamental, now classic study that reveals the essence of the phenomenon of play as an integral element of culture. The entire history of civilization, individual and social life are described in terms of play. By analyzing cultural phenomena of many peoples and countries at different stages of development, Huizinga shows how playful behavior permeates all forms of human activity. Language, art, love, religion, politics, philosophy, sports, war - all of these contain an element of play.
However, Huizinga identifies signs of the loss of playful forms in the society of his time, the spread of pretense and deception, the violation of ethical rules that are supposed to be observed in play. All of this leads to decline and moral decay. According to the scholar, 'true culture cannot exist without a certain playful content', as it needs self-restraint and voluntarily accepted boundaries. Culture wants to be played.
The publication is adorned with reproductions of artworks from various peoples and eras: from ancient vases and medieval miniatures to paintings and engravings by European masters and photographs from the 20th century - all of them illustrate the diversity and universality of play as a universal category of human existence.
6th edition, corrected.
Homo Ludens ('Man the Player', 1938) is a fundamental, now classic study that reveals the essence of the phenomenon of play as an integral element of culture. The entire history of civilization, individual and social life are described in terms of play. By analyzing cultural phenomena of many peoples and countries at different stages of development, Huizinga shows how playful behavior permeates all forms of human activity. Language, art, love, religion, politics, philosophy, sports, war - all of these contain an element of play.
However, Huizinga identifies signs of the loss of playful forms in the society of his time, the spread of pretense and deception, the violation of ethical rules that are supposed to be observed in play. All of this leads to decline and moral decay. According to the scholar, 'true culture cannot exist without a certain playful content', as it needs self-restraint and voluntarily accepted boundaries. Culture wants to be played.
The publication is adorned with reproductions of artworks from various peoples and eras: from ancient vases and medieval miniatures to paintings and engravings by European masters and photographs from the 20th century - all of them illustrate the diversity and universality of play as a universal category of human existence.
6th edition, corrected.
Author:
Author:Johan Haysinga
Cover:
Cover:hardcover
Category:
- Category:History & Geography
- Category:Crosswords, games and puzzles
Dimensions:
Dimensions:22x17.5x4 cm
Series:
Series:Conversations about Culture
ISBN:
ISBN:978-5-907488-45-8
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