Play Reconsidered
Cloth: 08/21/2006
About the Book
Within the social sciences, few matters are as significant as the study of human play--or as neglected. In Play Reconsidered, rather than viewing play simply as a preoccupation of the young and a vehicle for skill development, Thomas S. Henricks argues that it’s a social and cultural phenomenon of adult life, enveloped by wider structures and processes of society. In that context, he argues that a truly sociological approach to play should begin with a consideration of the largely overlooked writings on play and play-related topics by some of the classic sociological thinkers of the twentieth century.Henricks explores Karl Marx’s analysis of creativity in human labor, examines Emile Durkheim’s observations on the role of ritual and the formation of collective consciousness, extends Max Weber’s ideas about the process of rationalization to the realm of expressive culture and play, surveys Georg Simmel’s distinctive approach to sociology and sociability, and discusses Erving Goffman’s focus on human conduct as process and play as “encounter.” These and other discussions of the contributions of more recent sociologists are framed by an initial consideration of Johan Huizinga’s famous challenge to understand the nature and significance of play. In a closing synthesis, Henricks distinguishes play from other forms of human social expression, particularly ritual, communitas, and work.
About the Author
Thomas S. Henricks is the Danieley Professor of Sociology at Elon University and the author of Disputed Pleasures: Sport and Society in Preindustrial England.Also by this author
Reviews
"The author addresses aspects of play that other researchers largely have ignored. . . . Recommended."--Choice"Henricks has produced an engaging meditation on play as expressive culture with excellent discussion of the work of many scholars. . . . The challenge posed by Huizinga, to take play seriously, has been given an appropriate response."--American Journal of Sociology
"Rewarding and enlightening."--European Journal of Communication
Related Titles
