in praise of ambiguity

“In Praise of Ambiguity” is a discourse that explores the significance of play and seriousness in life, as well as the relationship between the two. The book presents a nuanced examination of the works of Erasmus and Huizinga, specifically their books “In Praise of Folly” (1511, which explores the tension between seriousness and playfulness) and “Homo Ludens” (1938, which examines the role of play in human culture and society), respectively. Willem Otterspeer (professor of history at Leiden University) argues that these texts offer a compromise between play and seriousness, where seriousness is turned into play, and play into seriousness.

Key themes:

1. Relativism vs. Essentialism: The book highlights the contrast between two attitudes towards life: relativism, which acknowledges that subjects have multiple sides, and essentialism, which insists on a single, absolute truth.
2. Play and Seriousness: The authors contend that play and seriousness are intertwined, and that a balance between the two is essential for a rich and fulfilling life.
3. Ambiguity: The book celebrates ambiguity as a fundamental aspect of human experience, acknowledging that many things in life are complex and multifaceted.