Other Kinesiology Commons^™

The Philosophy Of ‘Playing’ Games: A Lusory Introspection Of The Sincere Player And The Meaning Of Play Amidst The Moral Morass Of Contemporary Sport, Justin M. Rhoden

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Play is a fundamental experience embedded within human culture. We all play in some perceptible manner that provides our lives with meaning we don’t ordinarily feel from other pursuits that are means-ended. Sport philosophers have depended upon the seminal theories of Huizinga and Caillois to shape their constraints on the play world. Huizinga’s and Caillois’ definition both use formal analysis to protect the play sphere however, their theories fail in providing justifiable reason to protect the play sphere and the meaning it has. I propose that understanding play from the perspective of existentialism provides a better way to understand its …