Introduction

This introduction makes two fundamental points. First, when reflecting on life, philosophers and everyday people should pay special attention to leisure, play, and the lighter side of life. Athens and philosophy are more than austere, ivory statues. Athens and philosophy are lively, engaged, and deeply human arenas. Second, this chapter outlines the central methods for the research in this book, as well as the core theses argued throughout. Mirroring Aristotle, the book proceeds dialectically, paying careful attention to the ideas about play and playfulness that exist in the literatures of biology, psychology, sociology, classics, and philosophy. But going beyond Aristotle, the book argues that playfulness should be considered its own distinct virtue, something Aristotle never considered. The most important idea in the book is that playfulness is a virtue that helps people to use their leisure time well by resting, developing themselves, and engaging their communities. And this virtue is necessary for living a full, flourishing human life. This introduction, therefore, establishes the stakes for the book’s claims, and it previews its main ideas.