Homo Ludens (book)
Homo Ludens or "Man the Player" (alternatively, "Playing Man") is a book written in 1938 by Dutch historian, cultural theorist and professor Johan Huizinga. It discusses the importance of the play element of culture and society. Huizinga uses the term "Play Theory" within the book to define the conceptual space in which play occurs. Huizinga suggests that play is primary to and a necessary (though not sufficient) condition of the generation of culture.
Read more about Homo Ludens (book): Foreword Controversy, I. Nature and Significance of Play As A Cultural Phenomenon, II. The Play Concept As Expressed in Language, III. Play and Contest As Civilizing Functions, IV. Play and Law, V. Play and War, VI. Playing and Knowing, VII. Play and Poetry, VIII. The Elements of Mythopoiesis, IX. Play-forms in Philosophy, X. Play-forms in Art, XI. Western Civilization Sub Specie Ludi, XII. Play-element in Contemporary Civilization, Quotations