originally published 5/1/1993
Father James Schall (1928–2019), who taught political philosophy at Georgetown University, reflects upon the importance of play and contemplation in ancient political thought. Throughout history, philosophers have upheld play as a worthy pursuit because it teaches players to be involved in something beyond themselves. Schall notes that the English word play refers to both games and drama. Both pursuits have their own logic, structure and ordering of time. As spectators or participants, we are drawn into this world of play to watch with fascination as the drama plays itself out. This conversation with Schall was conducted in the late seventies and was first presented on Volume 2 of the Mars Hill Tapes.
7 minutes
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