Finite and Infinite Games“There are at least two kinds of games,” states James P. Carse as he begins this extraordinary book. “One could be called finite; the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.” Finite games are the familiar contests of everyday life; they are played in order to be won, which is when they end. But infinite games are more mysterious. Their object is not winning, but ensuring the continuation of play. The rules may change, the boundaries may change, even the participants may change—as long as the game is never allowed to come to an end. What are infinite games? How do they affect the ways we play our finite games? What are we doing when we play—finitely or infinitely? And how can infinite games affect the ways in which we live our lives? Carse explores these questions with stunning elegance, teasing out of his distinctions a universe of observation and insight, noting where and why and how we play, finitely and infinitely. He surveys our world—from the finite games of the playing field and playing board to the infinite games found in culture and religion—leaving all we think we know illuminated and transformed. Along the way, Carse finds new ways of understanding everything, from how an actress portrays a role to how we engage in sex, from the nature of evil to the nature of science. Finite games, he shows, may offer wealth and status, power and glory, but infinite games offer something far more subtle and far grander. Carse has written a book rich in insight and aphorism. Already an international literary event, Finite and Infinite Games is certain to be argued about and celebrated for years to come. Reading it is the first step in learning to play the infinite game. |
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User Review - Paul_S - LibraryThingThe author has a lot to say. None of it worthwhile. "Gardening is a horizonal activity". Get your kids interested in science and maybe they won't end up like this guy, spouting vapid profundity. Read full review
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User Review - figre - LibraryThingMany people talk about how this book helped them learn about themselves. I have to agree; this book taught me something about myself. But what it taught me is apparently quite different than the ... Read full review
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abstract Artful Dodger artists attempt audience become birth boundaries competition complete contest continuing the play contradiction Copernicus course of play death designed desire dramatic eliminate enemies evil existence explanation fact finite game finite play Finite players play finite sexuality forget forgotten freedom freely function future garden genius horizon Inasmuch indifference infinite player plays Infinite speech inherently killing language limits listening live look losers loudspeaker machine machinery Master Player means metaphysicians metaphysics move myth narrative nature never Oedipus one’s Ophelia opponent original ourselves outcome paradox past performed persons Plato playful poets poiema poiesis poietai political possible prizes reason Renaissance role rules script self-veiling seriousness silence socialist realism society society’s someone speak species of culture spontaneity story struggle surprise theatrical thought timeless titles Torah touch true unspeakability unveiling veil victory vision voice waste Whoever winners
Bibliographic information
| Title | Finite and Infinite Games |
| Author | James Carse |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster, 2011 |
| ISBN | 1451657293, 9781451657296 |
| Length | 256 pages |
| Subjects | › Philosophy / General Philosophy / Metaphysics Philosophy / Social |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |