The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-17
The Scientific significance of Play.

It Is a valuable book which ELIZABETH Z.
BALDWIN has translated and the Messrs. Apple
ton have published, under the title Of The Play
Of Animals, by Karl Groos. professor Of philoso-
ply in the University Of Basel. This is q contrI-
button to three departments of inquiry. namely.
philosophical biology. animal psychology, and
the genetic study Of art. Those who have fol-
lowed the beginnings of research into the func-
tions of play in the animal world and in chill
dren will recognize how much light may be
expected from n th~oroughgoing examination
of all the facts and observations recorded in
the literature OF animal life. Prof. J. NJ. Bald
win OF Princeton University. who has himself
undertaken similar inquiries. bears witness
in a preface to this book to the thoroughness
OF the examination made by Prof. Groos and to
the importance Of its results.
In the first chapter of the volume before us
the author considers at some length the sur
plus-enerGy" theory Of play put forward by Mr..
Herbert Spencer. and arrives ut the conclusion
that the theory is inadmissible. Prof. Groos
maintains that play. so far from being the
product OF surplus energy. or by-play, so to
speak. is in truth, n matter of serious mo-
ment to the animal or child. Play Is pro-
nounced a veritable instinct, and this Wow Of
it is expanded in the second chapter in conncc-
ton with such topics as imitation in its rela-
ton to play. These two chapters. and chapter
5. in which tho psychology Of the subject is
treated, constitute the theoretical basis Of the
book. In chapters 3 and 4 the actual plays Of
animals are described in detail and interpreted.
The main theoretical positions to which the
authors study has brought him are the fol-
lowing: He holds play to be an instinct devel-
oped by natural selection. at the same time
giving good reasons for not accepting the i'm
heritanco OF acquired characters. As an in
stinct. play is on a level with the other instincts
which ore developed for their utility. It Is very
near in its origin and functions to the instinct
OF imitation. but yet the two instincts are dis
tinct. The utility of play is twofold: First. IL
enables the young animal to exercise him
self beforehand in the strenuous and
necessary functions Of its life; and soc.
ondly. 1t enables the animal. by a general in
stinct, to do many things in a playful way. and
so to learn for itself much that would other
wise have to DO inherited in the form OF special
instincts; this puts a premium on intelligence.
which thus comes to replace instinct. Either
OF these utilities would. in the opinion Of Prof.
Groos. insure and justify the play instinct; SO
important. indeed. are they that he suggests
that the real purpose Of infancy Is that there
may be time for play. Another matter OF in
tercst in the biological part OF this work Is
the emphasis which the author puts on ira
dition. instruction. Imitation. &c.. in young AMI
mails. as enabling them to como into possession
OF even their natural instincts. There is also
q discussion OF Darwin's sexual selection. In
which sexual is referred back to natural selec-
ton. although the direct results OF preferential
mating would still seem to be a determination
OF variations for natural selection to work upon.
In the chapter which deals with the psychology
ofhls subject, Prof. Groos finds several sources
OF pleasure to an animal in play: the pleasure
OF satisfying IN instinct. the pleasure Of move
mont and energetic action. and. most OF all. the
pleasure in being q cause" Particular
stress is laid upon this last source Of
delight. together with the pleasure in
experimenting" which characterizss many
play activities. Even the initiative func-
ton is said to produce the Joy OF victory
over obstacles. The second psychological ele-
ment distinguished In play Is the feeling OF
freedom. the recognition that one doesn't have
to do 1t. which is contrastedS both with the NO.
cessity OF sense and with the imperative OF
thought and conscience. The sense OF freedom
keeps the "make-bclleve" Consciousness pure.
and prevents the confusion OF O game with
the real activities OF life. That. genetically. art
rests upon play. Is clear. according to Prof.
Groos. for the. reason that the three great
motives Of art production. to wit. s%elf-exhibi-
ton. imitation and decoration. arc found in the
three great classes OF animal play.