Martino Doni has degrees in philosophy from the University of Milan and in clinical psychology from the University of Bergamo, as well as a PhD in anthropology and epistemology of complexity from the University of Bergamo. He has translated several books from German, English, and French, and has published numerous essays in journals and books.Stefano Tomelleri has a PhD in sociology from the University of Parma and is professor of sociology. He is also affiliate professor in the Department of Management and deputy rector for participatory planning. He is president of Italian Sociological Association (2022–2025). He is author of more than one hundred publications, including Ressentiment: Reflections on Mimetic Desire and Society.

• Contents Introduction Chapter 1. Rules Are Needed to Play Chapter 2. Envy and Paranoia: The Traps of Play Chapter 3. Sympathy for Play Chapter 4. Sociological Games Chapter 5. Tribe: The Leader and the Sacrifice Chapter 6. Thermopylae: Playing at War Chapter 7. Polis: Participation and Skills Chapter 8. Collapse: Before It’s Too Late Chapter 9. Zombies: Every Ending Is a Beginning Chapter 10. Playing Sociology: Notes on Method and Analysis References

Martino Doni has degrees in philosophy from the University of Milan and in clinical psychology from the University of Bergamo, as well as a PhD in anthropology and epistemology of complexity from the University of Bergamo. He has translated several books from German, English, and French, and has published numerous essays in journals and books.Stefano Tomelleri has a PhD in sociology from the University of Parma and is professor of sociology. He is also affiliate professor in the Department of Management and deputy rector for participatory planning. He is president of Italian Sociological Association (2022–2025). He is author of more than one hundred publications, including Ressentiment: Reflections on Mimetic Desire and Society.

• Contents Introduction Chapter 1. Rules Are Needed to Play Chapter 2. Envy and Paranoia: The Traps of Play Chapter 3. Sympathy for Play Chapter 4. Sociological Games Chapter 5. Tribe: The Leader and the Sacrifice Chapter 6. Thermopylae: Playing at War Chapter 7. Polis: Participation and Skills Chapter 8. Collapse: Before It’s Too Late Chapter 9. Zombies: Every Ending Is a Beginning Chapter 10. Playing Sociology: Notes on Method and Analysis References