Play is not only a kind of activity, but also a set of attitudes. We may join a card game in a casino without assuming a play attitude; conversely we may transform a seemingly tedious action, such as a walk to the store, into a pleasant experience of spontaneous movements by adopting an attitude of play.

Attitudes of Play is a comprehensive study of the persistent human tendency to bring a cheerful and good-humoured outlook to any kind of situation, including the serious and the mundane. Gabor Csepregi offers a phenomenological description of forms of playfulness, showing how, time and again, our attitudes of play redefine and shape diverse activities and experiences – from teaching, healing, or worshipping to political conflict or walking down the street. With play attitudes, we exercise our freedom to colour these scenes or give them an altogether new form, evoking in us more refined sentiments and more acute perceptions.

This book seeks to distinguish play activities from attitudes of play, showing that the latter hold value not merely for their educational or other instrumental benefits but also, and perhaps most importantly, for the overall fulfillment and well-being they offer in all stages of human existence.

Gabor Csepregi is the President of the Dominican College of Philosophy and Theology in Ottawa. He is the editor-in-chief of the journal Science et Esprit and has published over fifty articles, reviews, and essays on philosophy, music, and sport.

Gabor Csepregi's profile page

“Gabor Csepregi’s Attitudes of Play pulls off the rare feat of being an academic work both engaging and uplifting.” American Journal of Play

“Attitudes of Play is essential reading for any member of society who pursues excellence. The book addresses the fundamental attitude required for all people in all fields to thrive and flourish.” Mark Nyvlt, Dominican University College and author of Aristotle and Plotinus on the Intellect: Monism and Dualism Revisited

"Attitudes of Play is a compelling thinking task that has consequences for educators, leaders, managers and any of us who struggle with the complexity of life. It is a useful reminder of what it means to be human, and the need for all of us to slow down and engage in the art of living." Winnipeg Free Press

“This book marks a significant contribution to the literature on play, and will stand beside such classics as Johan Huizinga’s Homo Ludens (1950) and Roger Caillois’s Man, Play, and Games (1961).” Choice