Play is a vital component of childhood and child development and, arguably, of the social life and well-being of adults. This book examines the concept of play and considers a variety of philosophical issues in play. It includes meta-analyses from a range of philosophical approaches and theorists as well as an exploration of some key applied ethical issues. Its main objective is to provide a richer understanding of the concept and nature of play and its relation to human life and value, and to build disciplinary and paradigmatic bridges between scholars of philosophy and scholars of play. Including a specific section dedicated to children and play, and exploring the work of key thinkers such as Plato, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Gadamer, Deleuze and Nietzsche, this book is invaluable reading for any advanced student, researcher or practitioner with an interest in education, playwork, leisure studies, applied ethics or the philosophy of sport.