huizinga Flashcards
huizinga idea of play (gen concept)
innate, smth that is universal i.e. animals, humans
accompanied by fun and enjoyment
beyond physical and psychological cncept
has non-materialistic, intrinsic meaning
play is not necessarily purposeful, but all play has MEANING…not explained by will or instinct
some prev theories of play
- prep for imp work later in life
- outlet for harmful impulses
- wish fulfillment
all bio ideas, but don’t explain how play is PLEASURABLE
fun
only has english definition, no other lang desc it
- even w/o word, it’s obv and cannot be denied
different from pleasure, can only be described as fun
disinteredness
play is an interruption to regular life, an addition
play and seriousness
play can be the opposite of seriousness, but NONSERIOUSNESS is NOT essential to play
i.e. can have a serious game of chess
not all games have nonserious aspects like laughter
leisure
common idea is free time to do something…time when not working
- indulgence and relaxation
ancient greeks: leisure is dominant term
- work is absence of leisure
- leisure is time for contemplation, slaves and mothers didn’t have this
present day: work is dominant, and leisure is the absence of work
- leisure seen as frivolous activities
idleness vs leisure
idleness is doing nothing…sinful
- elites made idleness to give working class a sense of duty
- benefits elites who enjoy idleness
leisure can require you to DO smth, whereas idleness is nothing
- leisure is freedom to do nothing if choose, or to pursue activities for own sake
extrinsic value
valuable for sake of smth else i.e. money
what does huizinga say abt sports and games?
many sports are games, but not all games are sports
how is play irrational
play and fun transcends rationality, lies outside morals i.e. good/evil, wisdom/folly, truth/lies
in a gray area
can be perceived as evil i.e. bullying, mean jokes
4 characteristics of play
- it is free: voluntary, not forced
- it’s stepping outside the real world into a temp sphere of activity with a disposition of its own
- ice rink, chess board
- artificial world w artificial rules
- ordinary life left behind - secluded and limited: play occurs w/in certain limits of time and space
- i.e. 1 hr, w/in video game world
- often has beginning and end - it creates order: sacred space and being, and deviation spoils the game and play
- magic circle
- spoilsport
magic circle
realm of play where rules of the game apply
these rules don’t apply to real life
spoilsport
person who disrespects the rules of the game, BREAKS ILLUSION of the magic circle
cheaters are not spoilsports because they acknowledge the rules and magic circle, just defy them
