A long youth and an eagerness to learn are not sufficient to transform the human animal into a civilized being. His youth has to be relatively safe and protected so that he may learn by playing. Man has much to learn because unlike other animals he has very few innate instincts.
However, we should distinguish between playing and learning. Every higher animal experiences and learns; he encounters a new exercise and challenge in every new experience. His lust for life brings him the capacity to exercise new functions. That is why many animals can be drilled and tamed so well. In terms of a biological goal, we may say that the initial vacillating motoric of adjustments become more useful and to the point.
But there is another form of movement besides that directed toward biological aims. Some animals are capable of 'aimless play' for sheer joy and excitement of movement. When I call my dogs, one comes scampering head over heels, bringing me the bone he has in his basket, while the other one looks at the door if it is time for a walk. No archaic instinct leads the playful dog.
It is the play of movement, of repetition and new movement which gives him so much satisfaction. Maybe it is also his faithfulness to his human master who really does not deserve so much dedication. But this play is only possible when the dog is not defending 'his' territory or eating his meal, because then all the primary instincts come to life. In his play the animal is without direct aim, it just creates something new.
Man has the same exhilarating tendency in a thousandfold variations. He has to learn to build up his own defenses by carrying on his play of social strategy with subtle inner tactics and using artificial toys and tools.
His powers of imagination and his walking erect are valuable aids to man. They help him to form his private world. Every movement is conducted by an inner maestro, and the orchestration of inner images helps to form ideas. First, there are the gestures. With these man brings the world into his mind. The power comes from the repetition. That is why people always want to repeat a game. It is for no definite reason, just for the joy of the motor function itself.
Play handed down by the parents to the next generation is the beginning of culture. It is the play with movement and rhythm, with colours and sounds that grows into highly symbolic communication. Creative thinking requires a playful attitude. However, a playful attitude can only be developed if the circumstances are right. Otherwise there will be fear, fear of insecurity. So creativity will only grow in an environment or culture where there is no such fear. Where the symbolism is accepted and used. Places where the 'eccentric' is considered normal.
A 'culture' where people refuse to accept any dividing line between scientific work and such activities as writing poetry, daydreaming and drawing.
By remodeling and reshaping reality, by repeating its forms in a playful way, man learns to recreate his own inner world outside himself. The dreams are recreated in reality. By gathering knowledge we try to transform our consciousness. Only man possesses an ideal world, a pure image painted within his mind. Although he never completely realizes in his art and work this inner picture, he keeps on striving for finer creation in his artistic play. But he is sure of his projected dreamworld as stronger and more significant than reality.