MACROSCOPE
Science as Play
Pierre Laszlo
Play in scientific research is seldom discussed in print. Perhaps we
scientists take it for granted. Or maybe we are a little
self–conscious and try to hide it from others. After all, we
don't want taxpayers to think they are subsidizing adults who are
acting like a bunch of kids, thereby squandering hefty amounts of
public money.
Play in science is thus an elusive and difficult topic. I chose to
examine it because I know how fundamental it is from my experience
as a practicing chemist and through the testimony of many
colleagues. In charting this little–explored territory, I
found that the extreme thesis—that science equals
play—is untenable. I content myself with the more modest
assertion that science has an element of play. Before relating some
possible explanations, let me offer a few examples.
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