Rescue Play! Because Life Is Not a Function

The game accompanies a person throughout life, from birth to deep old age. Without it, the evolution of humankind would have been impossible. As an important tool for understanding and improving the world, it has changed throughout our history. Through play, a child learns, models situations that—very soon— they will have to experience on their own in the future. The author considers play an integral part of the development of the Homo Sapiens species and describes how this theme was reframed in different periods—from Antiquity to the Modern Era—in the works of thinkers from various philosophical schools: Plato and Hegel, Kant and Huizinga. Today, in the age of highly developed industry, specialists and all concerned people are sounding the alarm: play is in danger. We play less and less. Why? You’ll find the answer in the book. It is intended both for specialists—psychologists, educators, cultural studies scholars—and for a broad audience of readers.