(My) Virtues of Play
I’m currently reading Scott Galloway’s Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Success, and one section on Stoicism really caught my attention. Galloway writes about the virtues of Stoicism, which got me thinking about one of my favorite topics: play!
Are there also virtues of play?
A quick Google search reveals that people have already explored this idea to some extent. But often, it doesn’t come from the perspective that I hold—the universal power and phenomenon we call play. At Playability (with my colleague Manuel Grassler), we expand the concept of play to include far more than just games. For us, play encompasses creative activities like make-believe, joking, role-playing, cosplay, and much more.
While Stoicism focuses on virtues that help us navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and resilience, I believe the virtues of play offer a different yet complementary perspective—one that focuses on creativity, spontaneity, and connection (sometimes even to your inner self).
So, here’s my (first) take on the Virtues of Play:
1. Creativity and Imagination: The ability to think beyond reality and explore new possibilities.
2. Joy and Delight: Finding happiness and fulfillment in the present moment.
3. Flexibility and Adaptability: Embracing change and uncertainty with ease.
4. Collaboration and Empathy: Building social connections and understanding others’ (or your own) perspectives.
5. Presence and Flow: Engaging fully and mindfully in the activity at hand.
6. Curiosity and Exploration: A desire to learn, discover, and grow through experimentation.
7. Spontaneity and Freedom: Expressing yourself freely, beyond the constraints of old or generalized societal rules.
8. Resilience through Experimentation: Learning through failure and bouncing back with new approaches.
9. Self-Expression and Identity Exploration: Exploring and expressing your authentic self through play.
10. Humor and Lightness: Using humor to build resilience and maintain perspective.
Just as Stoicism emphasizes virtues like wisdom, courage, and temperance to navigate life’s challenges, the virtues of play offer a complementary framework. I believe these virtues can help navigate life just as effectively as Stoicism, if not more. They promote a life filled with creativity, joy, connection, and adaptability.
While Stoicism teaches us to endure and thrive through discipline, the virtues of play remind us that joy, experimentation, and self-expression are equally essential for a fulfilling and resilient life. Play isn’t just a pastime—it’s a vital part of human flourishing.