Quote by David Bohm, Science, Order, and

Thought is generally considered to be a sober and weighty business. But here it is being suggested that creative play is an essential element in forming new hypotheses and ideas. Indeed, thought which tries to avoid play is in fact playing false with itself. Play, it appears, is the very essence of thought.This notion of falseness that can creep into play of thought is shown in the etymology of the words illusion, delusion, and collusion, all of which have as their Latin root ludere, to play. So illusion implies playing false with perception; delusion, playing false with thought; collusion, playing false together in order to support each other's illusions and delusions. When thought plays false, the thinker may occasionally recognize this fact, and express it in the above words.co-authored with F. David Peat

Summary

This quote suggests that creative play is essential in the process of generating new hypotheses and ideas, challenging the notion that thought should be solely serious and weighty. It implies that avoiding play in the act of thinking is, in fact, deceiving oneself. The quote draws a connection between the words illusion, delusion, and collusion, all having the Latin root ludere, meaning to play. It implies that these words indicate playing false with perception, thought, or collaborating in falseness. Ultimately, when thought plays false, the thinker may sometimes acknowledge this and express it through these terms.