Power Of Play

ARTICLE SUMMARY
“Reclaiming the Power of Play” by Stephen T. Asma is an article about how there should be more philosophical studies appreciating the intrinsic value of play.

In this article, Asma writes about how play is important and how it is important not just because of its extrinsic value but its intrinsic value. Yet, philosophical writing currently doesn’t reflect that and should do so.

To prove this claim, Asma has four main points. Firstly, that play is important. Secondly, that where play that philosophers have had little interest in play and philosophers do take interest in play, it is generally negatively. Thirdly, that appreciations of play are generally based on extrinsic, “secret utility value”. Lastly, that the true value

After all, many different and disparate animals, such as dolphins, lions and baboons, have been found to commit infanticide. To say that play’s feature in many other species proves that play important would mean infanticide is important too.

INCREASE IN PLAY AND LEISURE EQUALS IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
Another reason Asma gives for the importance of play is the increase in leisure and play. This is the appeal to popularity fallacy as an increase in play with the increase in leisure does not prove that play is important. The increase in play with an increase in leisure merely shows that play is what people had decided they wanted to do. However, a large number of people wanting to do it does not mean it is important. An example of this is the passive play Asma described as “suspicious”. Many people may want to play, but this does not mean it is beneficial.

THE HYPOCRISY: EVALUATION OF PLAY BASED ON EXTRINSIC FACTORS
In paragraph 8, Asma laments that on the rare occasion when play is appreciated by philosophers, it is not because of its intrinsic value but because of its extrinsic value when its intrinsic value is what is truly important. However, several times in the very same article, he too does