Finite and Infinite Games

• #philosophy
• #politics
• #religion
• #war

A book of philosophy by James P. Carse. The premise:

There are two types of games (where games are acts of life, not just board games or sports): finite and infinite games. In finite games, there are rules and boundaries, and the goal is to bring the game to an end by winning. Infinite games (or, THE infinite game, as he concludes there is only one) play with boundaries, and the goal of the infinite game is to continue play.

Finite games are theatric, in the sense that players have roles and titles, and are performing a "script" within the boundaries of the game. Infinite games are dramatic, in that they are enacted in the present.

If motherhood is a requirement and a duty, there are rules to be obeyed and goals to be achieved. This is motherhood as theatrical role. If motherhood is a choice and a process, it becomes a living drama.

There are at least two kinds of games: finite and infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play. Finite games are those instrumental activities - from sports to politics to wars - in which the participants obey rules, recognize boundaries and announce winners and losers. The infinite game - there is only one - includes any authentic interaction, from touching to culture, that changes rules, plays with boundaries and exists solely for the purpose of continuing the game. A finite player seeks power; the infinite one displays self-sufficient strength. Finite games are theatrical, necessitating an audience; infinite ones are dramatic, involving participants...